Gor Mahia Football Club have condemned the violence and disorder witnessed at Gusii Stadium on Sunday, May 4, 2025, that left several fans injured during their match against Shabana FC.

The club’s Executive Committee, in a statement issued on Monday, May 5, 2025, said that the incident appears to have been pre-planned.

“The Executive Committee of Gor Mahia Football Club wishes to take the earliest opportunity to condemn the ugly scenes witnessed at Gusii Stadium in Kisii yesterday, before, during and after the match. While on it, the Gor Mahia FC EC regrets to announce that out of what appears to have been pre-planned attacks, several fans and supporters of the club sustained serious injuries that warranted medical attention. To those who suffered injuries, the EC takes the opportunity to wish you a quick and speedy recovery,” the statement read in part.

The club further shifted the blame to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Shabana FC for the security lapses at the stadium that escalated the Sunday incident.

Gor Mahia say they had registered a legitimate concern with the Leagues and Competitions department about having to play such a high-risk match at Gusii Stadium, but they were ignored.

The club’s EC in the statement accuses FKF of choosing not to intervene even after the security personnel led by the OCPD Kisi Sub County (Nyaribari Chache Constituency) advised that from their assessment, the prevailing environment was volatile, and hence there was a need to call off the match.

Gor Mahia bus blocked

According to K’Ogalo, their bus was briefly blocked by Shabana FC from making its entry to Gusii Stadium via the VVIP entrance.

Gor Mahia goes ahead to say that they were taken aback when a match commissioner assured their players and technical bench that the match would not be played given the tense situation, only for the game to be played after FKF’s order.

“It is equally saddening that despite having registered a legitimate concern with the Leagues and Competitions department about having to play such a high-risk match at Gusii Stadium, they chose not to intervene even after the security personnel led by the OCPD Kisi Sub County (Nyaribari Chache Constituency) advised that from their assessment, the prevailing environment was volatile, and hence there was a need to call off the match.

“We were completely taken aback when the match commissioner, after visiting our bus which was being held outside the stadium next to the VVIP entrance due to the home team’s refusal to open the gate, assured our players and technical bench that the match would not be played given the tense situation,” Gor stated.

Adding: “However, during an urgent meeting involving Gor Mahia and Shabana officials, security agencies, Azam representatives, SSOs, and the Match Commissioner, we were shocked when he reversed his position. Despite the OCPD advising against proceeding with the match due to safety concerns, the Commissioner stated he had received instructions from FKF to go ahead at all costs. This raises a critical question: how can someone sitting in Nairobi overrule those on the ground who fully understand the risks and realities on site?”

Gor on stadium security

The club also maintains that it is the duty of the home team to ensure that adequate security and safety arrangements are made.

“Clearly from the observations witnessed yesterday, where the home team stewards were all over the pitch with batons exposed fully to the glare of all, it is evident that Shabana FC, as the home team, was in serious violation since it is the responsibility of home clubs to prevent spectators and other unauthorised persons from encroaching on the playing field,” the statement read.

“Shabana FC also failed to take adequate measures to prevent the throwing of missiles, bottles and other harmful objects on the playing field, and the match was stopped five times.”

Moreover, K’Ogalo called on FKF to take the running of the top league seriously and ensure that the rules and regulations governing Kenyan football are adhered to fully.

🟢 | 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

Official statement from the club management about events that unfolded at Gusii Stadium yesterday. #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/fqy8lhAPWX

— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) May 5, 2025