Police Teargas Fans At Nyayo Stadium After Mashemeji Derby

Nonetheless, it was a well-attended match with a near-full house at the stadium as Gor beat AFC 1-0, extending their dominance over their eternal rivals in the derby.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Apr 21, 2024 - 20:29 Updated: Apr 21, 2024 - 20:36
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Police Teargas Fans At Nyayo Stadium After Mashemeji Derby
Teargas lobbed to disperse fans at Nyayo Stadium on April 21, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE

Police on Sunday, April 21 lobbed teargas to disperse Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans who invaded the pitch at Nyayo National Stadium en masse following the highly-anticipated Mashemeji Derby clash in the Kenya Premier League.

Videos seen by Viral Tea saw fans presumably from both teams flooding the pitch as a cloud of smoke from the teargas billowed on one side of the pitch.

Reports indicated that it was K'Ogalo fans who rattled their Ingwe counterparts, a matter which forced police to intervene by firing teargas and rubber bullets to contain the situation.

However, the move was opposed by Kenyans on social media who argued that police broke football laws by lobbing teargas at the supporters.

Teargas lobbed to disperse fans at Nyayo Stadium on April 21, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE

"Kenya Police need to read the FIFA rules because dispersal of supporters using tear gas is not allowed under FIFA rules. FIFA stadium safety and security regulation article 19, point b, it is stated that it is prohibited to use firearms or crowd control gas," sports journalist Eric Njiru stated on X.

Nonetheless, it was a well-attended match with a near-full house at the stadium as Gor beat AFC 1-0, extending their dominance over their eternal rivals in the derby.

Leopards could not capitalise on the numerical advantage from the 35th minute when Gor Mahia's goalkeeper Kevin Omondi was shown a red card for fouling last-man Victor Omune.

Nyayo Stadium was almost full but the adrenaline of the derby also saw partisan stewards of the sides exchange blows, especially at halftime. 

The win means the FKF Premier League leaders inch closer to their 21st title after stretching to 57 points.

Notably, Gor Mahia in November 2023 were banned from using Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi following the chaos that ensued on November 11 during their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match against Murang’a Seals.

The club was also ordered to pay Ksh1.9 million in damages caused when their fans damaged seats during their confrontation with their counterparts of Murang'a Seals.

A section of Gor Mahia fans went on a destruction spree after the game which ended in a barren draw. Fans were irked by the numerous unfair fouls they felt centre referee Kevin Amol awarded Murang’a Seal.

After the final whistle, K'Ogalo fans attacked their Murang’a counterparts forcing police officers to fire teargas and live bullets as they battled the fans, while players, officials and journalists took cover on the pitch.

The referee was also not spared as the fans hurled objects at him, accusing him of biased decisions that led to the game ending in the goalless draw.

The Mashemeji Derby was the last major sporting event at Nyayo Stadium after the Kip Keino Classic held this weekend ahead of the stadium's closure for renovations.

An aerial view of Nyayo National Stadium. /FILE

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