Over the years, the Mashemeji Derby pitting sworn rivals AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia has witnessed many unforgettable moments. Since the first clash took place in 1968, both teams have locked horns in the battle for supremacy, and each of the previous 95 encounters has left indelible marks.
One such match took place on October 23, 2010, at the Nyayo National Stadium, a clash that forever changed Kenyan football. What was meant to be a celebrated event turned into an unimaginable tragedy, claiming seven lives and injuring dozens more.
As thousands of fans thronged the stadium, the excitement of the game turned into chaos. A stampede occurred at Gate 2 when the crowd outside grew impatient and tried to force their way in. The surge led to panic, crushing fans against barriers and resulting in multiple fatalities.
Among the fallen were young men and women whose only crime was their love for football. David Ochieng Oundo, 34, Victor Juma Okoth, 27, Winnie Karimi Kinyua, 21, Franklin Onimu Kiribwa, 28, and Stephen Ochieng Onyango, 24, all lost their lives at Gate 2 of Nyayo Stadium, their dreams and futures tragically cut short.
Each had come that day not expecting anything more than 90 minutes of football, yet they never made it inside to see a ball kicked. The scene was harrowing, with desperate cries for help and chaos overwhelming security personnel. The match, which Gor Mahia narrowly won 1-0, was briefly halted but eventually resumed a decision that later drew criticism from the public and authorities alike.
Investigations revealed glaring lapses in security and crowd management. The allocation of gates and the lack of proper coordination contributed to the disaster. The families of the deceased were given Ksh 30,000 each as compensation to help with funeral arrangements—a sum that felt like an insult to the magnitude of their loss.
After a joint requiem mass at Nyayo Stadium, the victims were buried, and with them, any hope of justice seemed to fade.
In response to the tragedy, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) banned night matches, a rule that still stands today, except for national team games and continental assignments. This measure was aimed at improving safety and ensuring better visibility for security personnel during matches.
The event also sparked widespread calls for reforms in stadium management. Authorities insisted on the need for proper ticketing systems, crowd control measures, and emergency response protocols. Despite these efforts, the memory of the Nyayo Stadium tragedy serves as a haunting reminder of the importance of prioritizing fans’ safety.
The Mashemeji Derby, a symbol of Kenya’s footballing heritage, will forever carry the weight of this painful chapter in its history.
