President William Ruto has condoled with the families of four people who lost their lives on Friday following a stampede at the Kericho Green Stadium.
The accident occurred as crowds waited at Gate C of the stadium to attend the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations at 6am.
"My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragedy at the Kericho Green Stadium ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. We extend our deepest condolences and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Poleni sana," the President said in a statement on X.
The well-attended event was presided over by the Head of State.
According to a police report, the crowd went into panic mode after a lady who was selling tea at the gate spilt it into the fire.
Police said the crowd mistook it for teargas being thrown at them and attempted to scamper to safety causing the stampede.
"Several people attempting to enter the stadium were injured and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital by county government ambulances. Four identified females were confirmed dead at the hospital," police said in a report.
A hospital official told the media 13 other people were injured during the incident and are in stable condition.
Among them are two GSU officers, a National Youth Service officer and two community health workers.
Crowds started arriving at the stadium as early as 3am in keeping with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's pronouncement that the ceremony would end early in light of the rainy weather.
People underwent through security screening before being allowed into the stadium.
Meanwhile, Ruto renamed the Kericho Green Stadium in keeping with the spirit of Mashujaa of recognising heroes and heroines.
The President renamed the stadium after Wilson Kiprugut, who holds the distinction of being the first Kenyan to win an Olympic medal since the country’s inaugural participation in the Olympic Games in 1956.
"Allow me to celebrate Kiprugut Chumo, the first Kenyan to win an Olympic medal, by renaming the Kericho Green Stadium after him," Ruto said.
Kiprugut’s other accolades include winning bronze medal in the 800 meters at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo and a silver medal in the same event at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
