CS Ababu Namwamba Pressured To Speak On Kericho Stadium Stampede
Police reports indicated that the deadly incident occurred at 3 a.m. hours before the stadium gates were opened for the public ahead of the fete.
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Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is demanding that Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Ababu Namwamba take responsibility for the stampede at Kericho Green Stadium (now Wilson Kiprugut Chumo Stadium) which led to the death of four women.
In a statement on Saturday, October 21, Cherargei is also demanding that Namwamba be punished for what he claims were poorly done renovation works at the stadium which hosted the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations.
"The supervising ministry of Sports CS Ababu must held responsible for this unfortunate incident.
"This is a clear pointer to substandard work done by the ministry at the stadium. The incident embarrassed all of us," Cherargei criticised the CS.
Nandi Senator, Samson Cherargei speaking in Nandi County on October 20, 2023. /SAMSON CHERARGEI
At the same time, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senator also conveyed his apologies to Kenyans who woke up early to attend the celebrations.
"My heart goes out to the families and friends who lost their loved ones after the stampede at Kericho Stadium yesterday. My apologies to the entire country," stated Cherargei
CS Namwamba was yet to respond to Cherargei's sentiments, neither was he yet to issue a statement on the incident by the time of publishing this story.
Police reports indicated that the deadly incident occurred at 3 a.m. hours before the stadium gates were opened for the public ahead of the fete.
The police attributed an incident to a lady vendor who spilt tea on an open fire near one of the main entrances, causing panic.
"It was reported by Police Officers who were on duty at Kericho Green Stadium today 20/10/2023 at 0300 hours where the Mashujaa Celebration is to take place, that there was a stampede caused by a lady who was selling tea outside the stadium who accidentally spilt hot tea in the fire near gate "C" along the public road," read a police report in part.
The panic ensued after members of the public misinterpreted the spillage to be teargas lobbed to disperse them.
"Several people who wanted to gain entry to the stadium were injured and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital on board station motor vehicle and county government ambulances. At the said hospital, four unknown females have been confirmed dead," added the report.
"My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragedy at the Kericho Green Stadium ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. We extend our deepest condolences and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Poleni sana," the President stated via his social media pages.
13 victims of the accident were rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital after incurring crucial injuries in the early morning incident. Among those injured were six police officers and four civilians.
Two of them were discharged on Saturday, October 21 after being given a clean bill of health.
The Ministry of Interior led by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki launched investigations into the stampede, further calling upon Kenyans to remain calm, reaffirming that the government will ensure no similar incidents occur in the near future.
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