Kenyan Dies During Qatar FIFA World Cup

A Kenyan security guard died on Tuesday, December 13 following a freak accident inside Lusail Stadium in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The deceased, John Njau Kibue, died after reportedly suffering a serious fall from the eighth floor of the stadium while on duty on Saturday, December 10.

There was no World Cup game that was ongoing when the accident occurred. It was confirmed by the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, who are the football tournament organizers.

The 24-year-old was taken to Hamad Medical Hospital in an ambulance and was said to be in a “stable but critical condition” on Saturday, but died on Tuesday.

Lusail Stadium in Qatar. /ARCH DAILY

“On Saturday, 10 December, John Njau Kibue, a security guard at Lusail Stadium, suffered a serious fall while on duty. Stadium medical teams immediately attended the scene and provided emergency treatment before he was transferred to Hamad Medical Hospital’s intensive care unit via ambulance.

"We regret to announce that, despite the efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away in hospital on Tuesday 13 December, after being in the intensive care unit for three days. His next of kin have been informed," the statement read in part.

The organizers sent their sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.

"Qatar’s tournament organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation. We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed," it added.

However, Njue’s family alleged that his employer, Al Sraiya Security Services failed to furnish them with any explanation surrounding the death of their son.

“We want justice. We want to know what caused his death. They have never sent us a picture to show where he fell from or given us any other information,” his sister Wanjiru told CNN.

In a statement to the international media house, the Kenyan embassy in Qatar said it was aware of the matter and “undertaking necessary consular assistance whilst awaiting official communication from Qatar’s Supreme Committee and competent authorities.”

The guard’s family stated that he moved to Qatar last November for a contract with Al Sraiya Security Services. A WhatsApp message was reportedly sent to his colleagues at other World Cup stadiums soliciting contributions.

“He came here to support his family back home but by bad luck, his dreams came to an end today,” it reads in part. “Let’s do something for our beloved comrade.”

He is the second migrant worker reported dead since the tournament began in the Gulf nation after another was reportedly killed in an accident at a resort used by Saudi Arabia during the group stages.

Since the Middle-East County got the green light in 2010 to host this year’s World Cup, hundreds of Kenyans and other African citizens have been flying to Qatar for employment. Last month, Qatar’s World Cup boss Hassan Al-Thawadi said that about 400-500 migrant workers have died as a result of work done on projects connected to the tournament in his interview with celebrity television personality Piers Morgan.

Figures published in February by The Guardian, which quoted government sources but were strongly denied by Qatari officials, claimed as many as 6,500 migrant workers have died in the country since it won the right to host the World Cup.

Last week, Qatar’s World Cup chief executive Nasser Al-Khater suggested that death is “a natural part of life” in response to the tragic loss of a migrant worker during the tournament. 

Deaths have not just hit migrant workers alone. United States (US) soccer journalist Grant Wahl died after suffering an aortic aneurysm while covering the World Cup quarter-finals.

Wahl collapsed in the press box while covering Argentina's World Cup quarter-final victory over the Netherlands. Medical staff attempted CPR, but the 48-year-old sadly passed away.