Mashujaa Day Celebrations in Kericho Turn Tragic as 4 Die in Stampede

During the national celebration of Mashujaa Day, tragedy struck at Kericho Green Stadium.

A stampede occurred at Gate C, resulting in the death of four individuals who were rushed to Kericho Referral Hospital. Alongside them, several others sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. The injured include police officers, a National Youth Service officer, and various community members.

"At about 6 am on Friday morning, it was reported by police officers on duty at Kericho Green Stadium, the venue of this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations, that there was a stampede caused by a lady selling tea outside the stadium who accidentally spilled hot tea into the fire near Gate 'C' along the public road, causing panic among members of the public who mistook it for tear gas being thrown at them," reads a police report.

The 13 individuals who were injured are now in stable condition. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been taken to the morgue for identification and post-mortem. Despite the unfortunate events, long queues were observed outside the stadium as Kenyans eagerly gathered to commemorate the 60th Mashujaa Day.

As the Mashujaa celebrations commenced, attendees hurriedly made their way into Kericho Green Stadium. Among them was Vitalis Kimutai, a journalist from the Nation Media Group based in Kericho, who unfortunately lost his phone while entering the venue. Early in the morning, queues began to form as individuals went through thorough screenings handled by the crack unit of the General Service Units. Even journalists were not exempt from this scrutiny. To ensure security, sniffer dogs were brought in and all bags were meticulously checked at gates A, B, and C at Kericho Green Stadium.