Football fans in the country had been eagerly awaiting some exciting matches from the national team. They filled up Nyayo Stadium to the brim in the event of unwarranted actions ahead of the match after forcing entry into the stadium.
The appointment of Benni McCarthy was met with enthusiasm, which was reflected in Kenya’s satisfactory performance during an away match against The Gambia. This success inspired fans to promise a full stadium for the upcoming match against Gabon.
The fans did not disappoint; all the tickets were sold out, and the ticketing firm, under the Football Kenya Federation, announced the sellout a day before the match.
The highly anticipated match drew a significant attendance, including government officials such as the President and the former Prime Minister, along with other notable political figures.
As the fans eagerly awaited the match, loud chants of “#RutoMustGo” echoed throughout Nyayo Stadium, as they voiced their discontent with President William Ruto’s administration during the World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Gabon.
The match was scheduled for 4 PM, but fans began arriving as early as 11 AM. Having purchased their tickets online and armed with email confirmations, they expected a smooth entry into the stadium. To their surprise, only a limited number of people were inside, and only designated ticket vendors had the hardcopy tickets required for entry.
This lack of organization resulted in a bottleneck at the stadium gates. Without proper guidance, fans grew frustrated as they waited to enter. In their eagerness, they overpowered the stewards and police officers managing the entry and forced their way into the stadium, allowing both ticket holders and those without tickets to enter.
At one entrance, Mumias East Member of Parliament received an unruly reception as he was confronted and chased away from the stadium for what appeared to be political reasons. Fortunately, security personnel intervened and removed him from the area while fans yelled disparaging insults at him.
