Mashemeji Derby: Vendors to pay Sh500 to access gates at Nyayo, parking set at Sh100

Nyayo Stadium during the Mashemeji Derby in March 2025. [Robert Abong'o, Standard]

Nyayo Stadium will operate under tighter entry, parking, and vendor rules for the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards this Sunday.

Gor Mahia, as the hosts, have announced a series of measures aimed at regulating crowd flow, safety, and revenue for the high-profile SportPesa Premier League clash, originally slated for last weekend but postponed due to venue concerns.

Key details released by Gor Mahia secretary-general Nicanor Arum include:

Parking: Spectators will pay a minimum of Sh100 to park their vehicles at Nyayo Stadium.

Gates and attendance: Only 18,000 fans will be admitted, roughly 78% of the stadium’s capacity, in line with Sports Kenya guidelines for high-risk fixtures.

Vendor access: Food and beverage vendors who wish to sell inside the stadium must pay a minimum fee of Sh500.

? | CLUB UPDATE

Parking at Nyayo Stadium for the #MashemejiDerby this Sunday will be charged KSh.100; vendor access fees are set at KSh.500.#Sirkal | #SportPesaNaGor pic.twitter.com/1pmaPTDY6u — GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) December 4, 2025

Security and staffing: The club plans to deploy 130 stewards, 100 from Gor Mahia and 30 from AFC Leopards, to help manage safety and crowd control. Over 300 police officers from various units (regular police, Administration Police, General Service Unit, and the traffic department) will be on duty for the match.

Pre-match meetings: Arum explained that after paying for the facility, Sports Kenya required three pre-event meetings before Sunday to finalise hosting arrangements. The club has already held one session on Tuesday, with additional meetings planned for tomorrow and Saturday.

Parking safety measures: Arum assured that safe and secure parking arrangements are in place for attendees.

Curtain-raiser: Fans will have an earlier opportunity to enjoy football entertainment, with a women’s derby between Gor Mahia Queens and AFC Leopards Queens kicking off the day at 11:30 am, followed by the main event, with gates opening at 9:00 am. Attendees will also be treated to a performance by Ohangla artist Musa Jakadala.

On-field safety considerations echo past concerns from a Mashemeji Derby held at Nyayo on March 30, which drew crowds beyond capacity. Organisers say they are watching attendance closely and are implementing crowd-control measures to ensure a smooth and secure experience for supporters.

Additionally, beverage vendors will be required to serve drinks in plastic cups to minimise risk, with a prohibition on selling beverages in containers that could be repurposed as projectiles.