Monday, October 25, 2010

Kenyan Prime Minister orders an investigation into a stampede at a Nairobi football match

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has ordered an immediate investigation after the stampede at a Nairobi football match on Saturday evening.

Raila Odinga visited the injured in hospital; he said that both the police and the football authorities would be involved in investigating the accident. 

Seven fans died in the stampede; they were trying to get into a league match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday. Nearly 20 others are still fighting for their life in hospital. 

The incident happened at the stadium, which was hosting a match between two of the country's most popular teams, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. 

Nairobi deputy police chief Moses Nyakwama confirmed that the stadium was not packed to capacity during the game. Jack Oguda, CEO of the Kenya Premier League, said he couldn't understand why fans couldn't get in properly because the stadium wasn't full. 

Police on Sunday began investigations into circumstances that led to the deaths. Over 380 police officers including a 100 man anti riot police contingent had been deployed to Nyayo National Stadium to provide security during the match. Reports say tension was high throughout the game.

At the same time, President Mwai Kibaki sent a message of condolence to the families, relatives and friends of the football fans who died. He also directed those charged with stadia safety to enhance safety in all the country's stadia.

In 2005, one person died during a World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Morocco at the 35,000-capacity Nyayo National Stadium. The incident led to a two-year Fifa ban. The stadium was then limited to 25,000 people. 

No comments:

Post a Comment