Drama unfolded at Gusii Stadium on Sunday, May 4, 2025, just hours before the highly anticipated Kenya Premier League match between Gor Mahia and Shabana FC, after a violent stampede left several fans injured.
The incident occurred as excitement and tension gripped the stadium, with fans from both camps filling the venue to capacity well before kick-off.
With only two points separating Gor Mahia in third place from fourth-placed Shabana FC, the match promised fireworks — and unfortunately, the explosive atmosphere spilled from the pitch into the stands.
According to eyewitness accounts and footage shared by stateupdate.co.ke, tensions began to rise as rival fans engaged in minor altercations in the stands, stoking fears of more serious violence.
The situation escalated rapidly, and a full-blown stampede erupted among the packed crowd. Panic spread as fans scrambled to avoid the chaos, leading to several being trampled or injured in the fray.
Witnesses described scenes of people screaming, pushing, and climbing barriers to escape the stampede. Some fans attempted to flee the packed stands by jumping over barriers and invading the pitch, further heightening the confusion.
Emergency medical teams stationed at the stadium quickly responded, rushing to attend to the wounded. However, the scale of the incident overwhelmed the available resources.
Several of the injured were evacuated via a standby ambulance, but many others had to be transported directly to nearby hospitals for urgent care due to the sheer number of casualties.
Security officials and stadium stewards were also seen fleeing the scene as they struggled to contain the chaos. Amid the confusion, it remained unclear whether the match would proceed as planned. By 1 p.m.
Gor Mahia players had not yet appeared on the field for warm-up, raising concerns that the violent scenes could force a postponement. Eventually, the players made their way onto the pitch, but the atmosphere remained tense.
This is not the first time Gor Mahia fans have been involved in controversial scenes in recent weeks. Just days earlier, on Sunday, April 27, another high-profile clash between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar saw a journalist assaulted by unruly fans.
The assault left the journalist hospitalized and prompted a formal complaint from the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), who demanded action from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to ensure the safety of media personnel and fans alike.
The latest unrest at Gusii Stadium has renewed concerns about fan violence and inadequate security during major football matches in Kenya. With the Premier League title race heating up, authorities will now be under pressure to implement stricter crowd control measures to prevent further tragedies.
As investigations into Sunday’s stampede continue, fans and stakeholders alike are calling for urgent reforms to ensure football remains a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
