Almost 70 Fans Injured in Stampede at Packed Kenyan Football Match
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What was supposed to be an exciting day of football turned into a frightening experience for fans at Gusii Stadium in Kisii, western Kenya, on Sunday.
Ahead of the much-anticipated Kenyan Premier League clash between Shabana FC and Gor Mahia, the stadium—built to hold about 5,000 people—was already overflowing nearly two hours before kickoff. Unfortunately, the overcrowding led to chaos.
According to eyewitnesses, tensions between rival fans escalated as some began throwing stones and other objects. The growing unrest sparked panic among the crowd, and in the rush to escape the danger, a stampede broke out.
By the time calm was restored—thanks to swift intervention by police and members of the paramilitary General Service Unit (GSU)—at least 66 fans had been injured and taken to hospitals across Kisii for treatment.
In a statement, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) expressed deep concern and condemned the violence.
“Football should bring us together, not put lives at risk,” the FKF said. “Our priority is the safety of everyone at these events—fans, players, and officials alike. We’re working closely with the authorities to find out exactly what happened and to ensure the right steps are taken moving forward.”
This is Kenya’s most serious stadium incident since 2010, when seven people tragically lost their lives in a similar stampede during a derby match in Nairobi. That event led to years of safety upgrades at Nyayo National Stadium, which only recently reopened for major games.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into Sunday’s events and have promised to hold those responsible accountable, while also working on stronger safety measures for future matches.
