Several football fans were left nursing serious injuries on Sunday, May 4, following a chaotic stampede just hours before a much-anticipated Kenya Premier League showdown between Gor Mahia and Shabana FC. The incident took place at Gusii Stadium, which had already filled to capacity well before kickoff.
Tensions were running high as the two top-tier teams prepared to face off in a high-stakes match. Gor Mahia entered the game sitting third in the league standings, while Shabana FC closely trailed in fourth place, with only two points separating them.
This close competition raised the stakes and intensified the atmosphere even before the first whistle.
Signs of trouble were already visible early in the day as fans flocked into the stadium hours in advance, with the stands completely packed.
The heightened excitement and rivalry between the supporters of both clubs set the stage for possible unrest.
According to videos obtained by Newshub.co.ke, scuffles broke out in the crowded stands, reportedly involving fans from both teams.
Witnesses say these minor altercations quickly escalated, triggering a stampede as panicked spectators rushed to flee the commotion.
Several people were trampled or injured during the chaos and required immediate medical attention.
Ambulance services stationed at the venue began transporting injured fans from the scene, but the number of casualties overwhelmed the available emergency response. This forced some of the victims to be rushed directly to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
In addition to the stampede, the situation further deteriorated when some fans began throwing stones across the stands, escalating tensions and causing widespread panic among the crowd. In a bid to escape the growing unrest, several fans breached the pitch, while stadium stewards were also seen running for safety.
By 1 p.m., uncertainty loomed over whether the match would proceed as planned. Gor Mahia players had not yet come out for their warm-up, further fueling concerns that the game might be postponed or cancelled due to safety issues.
Tragically, at the time this report was being published, it was confirmed that one person had died as a result of injuries sustained during the chaotic scenes at the stadium.
This incident is just the latest in a growing trend of violence and disorder surrounding Kenyan football matches.
Just a week earlier, on Sunday, April 27, a journalist covering a match between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar was reportedly assaulted. The attack left the journalist hospitalized and sparked outrage within the media fraternity.
In response, the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) wrote a formal complaint to the Football Kenya Federation, condemning the incident and demanding better security and protection for both journalists and fans during matches.
These events have raised serious concerns about fan safety at football matches in the country, prompting renewed calls for tighter security measures and better crowd control at major sporting events.
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