One Killed and Several Injured as Gor Mahia and Shabana Fans Clash at Gusii Stadium

One Killed and Several Injured as Gor Mahia and Shabana Fans Clash at Gusii Stadium.

One Killed and Several Injured as Gor Mahia and Shabana Fans Clash at Gusii Stadium

Sports | May 04, 2025

Tensions turned tragic on Sunday after a fan lost their life and several others sustained injuries following violent clashes between Gor Mahia and Shabana FC supporters at the Gusii Stadium.

The unrest erupted ahead of the much-anticipated Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixture between the two fierce Nyanza rivals. Chaos broke out before the scheduled 2 p.m. kickoff, with disturbing scenes captured on social media showing fans hurling stones and other debris across the stands.

The violence triggered a stampede as panicked supporters rushed for the exits, overwhelming security personnel and forcing a temporary suspension of pre-match activities.

Witnesses reported seeing fans leap over razor wire barriers in a desperate attempt to flee the stadium. Emergency services responded swiftly, with police moving in to restore calm and assist those who had been injured. Several victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, but one fatality was confirmed.

Despite the tragedy, the match eventually proceeded after a delay of over an hour. Organizers cited heightened emotions and crowd pressure as contributing factors to the flare-up, noting that the stadium had filled rapidly from early morning hours. By 8 a.m., fans were already streaming in, singing and chanting in anticipation of the derby.

The fixture carried high stakes for both clubs. Gor Mahia, having lost only once in their last 15 matches, were aiming to maintain their title challenge. Shabana, buoyed by a recent run of strong performances, hoped to use their home advantage to secure three points.

Adding to the intensity was the memory of their last encounter on December 11, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Sunday’s game was expected to be fiercely contested—and it was, though overshadowed by the violence that unfolded before the kickoff.

Authorities have not yet released details on arrests or potential investigations, but the incident has sparked calls for improved security measures at future league matches.

One Killed and Several Injured as Gor Mahia and Shabana Fans Clash at Gusii Stadium

Several Hurt as Tensions Flare Between Shabana and Gor Mahia Fans at Gusii Stadium