FKF caretaker team on the spot after violence in Kasarani
The Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee has been put on the spot after Sunday’s ugly scenes witnessed at the Kasarani Stadium following fan trouble during a premier league match between Gor Mahia and Vihiga Bullets.
One fan is suspected to have succumbed to injuries after being stabbed, while others sustained serious wounds and property of unknown value was destroyed.
Previously, whenever Gor Mahia played any opponent, the local football administrators hired a minimum of 100 General Service Unit (GSU) officers to ensure law and order inside and outside the match venue, despite the presence of the stewards that are always provided by the host team. But on Sunday there was no presence of uniformed police at Kasarani, despite the fact that K’Ogalo’s fixtures are always classified as high risk matches.
The body given the mandate to run the sport must also ensure pre-match meetings in which they must have a club representative before any league fixture, which no longer happens and is a clear recipe of chaos as witnessed on Sunday.
Heinous act
FKF Caretaker Committee chairman in charge of Leagues and Competitions Committee Ali Amour admitted to People Sport that they did not have a pre-match meeting before the Sunday clash, as the group had travelled to Kisumu to meet with Division Two clubs and said Gor being the hosts should have organised for proper security.
He said they had launched investigations into the matter.
“Our team has started investigations into the matter, and we will visit the site and have a meeting with DG of Kasarani. We will also be strictly guided by the competition laws before issuing a decision,” Amour told People Sport. Ali termed the incident as a sad and dark month in the Kenya soccer fraternity as he warned of dire consequences for those that will be found to have sparked and led to the fracas.
He added: “Vihiga Bullets have informed us that their bus was damaged and we have received photos of the same. So, we want to investigate this matter thoroughly, damage caused, those injured and those that will be found culpable will have to face the full wrath of the law, and damages must be paid.”
Meanwhile, chief executive Vihiga Bullets Collins Juma has come out to strongly condemn the incident stating that it is a retrogressive act that should be thoroughly investigated with stiff action being taken against the agitators of that heinous act.
“I thought Kenyan football had opened a new chapter where families could have their time and enjoy the good game without any fear but looking at what happened on Sunday we still have a long way to go.
“Whatever was experienced was a very bad show that painted local football in a bad image and we believe the authorities will move with speed and bring the culprits to book.”
