Kenyan football was in a crisis after a brutal match between Shabana FC and Gor Mahia

Shabana FC and Gor Mahia’s high-stakes Premier League match ended in pandemonium on Sunday, sending 66 fans to the hospital in one of the worst fan violence events in recent memory, sending Kenyan football into disarray.

Intense tensions in the fans caused what was supposed to be an exciting match between two fervent clubs at the center of Kenyan football culture to devolve into a nightmare. The incident started late in the second half after a contentious refereeing call that angered several members of the audience, according to witnesses. Disputes swiftly became violent, with opposing fans flinging objects and fighting.

Across the stadium, violence broke out, overwhelming security officers. Emergency medical personnel raced to rescue the injured, including fans who were allegedly in severe condition after suffering fractures to their skulls. Other people received treatment for trauma, wounds, and bruises.

Shabana FC and Gor Mahia both made public pleas for composure and showed their condolences for the victims. The incident completely overshadowed the outcome of the match, with calls for improved crowd management and stronger stadium security procedures resurfacing.

Due to growing worries about fan safety and the damaged reputation of the domestic league, the Ministry of Sports has called an emergency meeting of important football stakeholders. The president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Hussein Mohammed, also alluded to potential penalties, such as fines, point deductions, or stadium bans.