I am sending a strong message to the Football Kenya Federation for the second time this month; put an end to the hooligans who persistently disturb the calm of true football fans.
This comes after the mayhem that spoiled Gor Mahia’s fruitless tie with Wazito FC last Sunday at the Muhoroni Stadium.
Before the game, horrific scenes were seen at the stadium’s entry after a violent brawl between Gor Mahia and Wazito fans.
Trouble began when a bus carrying Gor Mahia players and staff members reached the facility.
With numerous K’Ogalo fans demanding to accompany the bus into the stadium, the hosts attempted to block the path leading to an altercation between the security details from both sides.
There was a heated battle with strikes, kicks and stone-pelting before police officers used teargas in their quest to end the altercation.
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry has also registered his concerns, urging FKF to assure fans of their safety if they want to increase the number of spectators in stadiums. He acknowledged that the Green Army were given a terrible welcome in Muhoroni.
“I saw it. It’s something that FKF and the league organisers need to consider since the experience of the fans should come first,” he said.
I support McKnistry’s sentiments that K’Ogalo fans were not handled well in Muhoroni. The safety and enjoyment of the fans should be the top priorities; they attend games to enjoy themselves, not to be treated poorly.
This is not the first time the facility has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Muhoroni Stadium continues to be a notoriously intimidating venue for visiting teams.
For example, in 2020, FKF prohibited the facility from hosting federation-sanctioned matches, accusing the Kenyan Premier League Limited of failing to control Muhoroni Youth’s club executives, fans and stewards.
This followed an altercation during a Kenyan Premier League match between Muhoroni Youth and visiting Nzoia United where knives, clubs and other crude weapons were brandished.
The local governing body threatened “severe penalties” against Muhoroni Youth chairman Moses Adagala and his team.
“The KPL seems to be unable to take action on the excesses of the leadership, fans and stewards of Muhoroni Youth and therefore the federation has moved to ban Muhoroni Stadium from hosting any FKF-sanctioned football matches with immediate effect until such a time that it is satisfied that the stadium is safe for fans, players and match officials,” the letter signed by FKF CEO Robert Muthomi read in part.
Adagala, however, dismissed FKF’s ban on their facility saying it was laced with malice.
The country is still reeling in shock after fans invaded the pitch and assaulted centre referee during a volatile KPL encounter between AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday.
We already know that some administrators have a history of creating havoc to frighten visiting teams. Hooliganism of this irresponsible nature needs to be stopped in its tracks before it extends its tentacles.
While, we appreciate how quickly FKF took action to punish individuals found responsible for inciting unrest at Bukhungu, Muhoroni stadium offenders must suffer the same fate.
