Families demand compensation for stadium deaths

Mercy Chepkemoi died in a stampede on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Kericho Green Stadium. [Courtesy]

Families whose relatives died following a stampede at Kericho Green Stadium during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kericho Green Stadium have placed blame on the stadium’s contractor for a shoddy job and are calling on the government for support.

Speaking from Chepkutung in Belgut constituency, the family of the late 21-year-old Mercy Chepkemoi, who lost her life in the stadium gate stampede, cited the contractor’s negligence, emphasising an uncovered trench and unfinished work as contributing factors.

Janet Cheruiyot, the grieving mother of Ms Chepkemoi, expressed her deep shock at the loss of her second-born daughter.

Mrs Cheruiyot explained her initial concerns about her daughter’s plans to visit the nearby Kerenga airstrip but eventually allowed her to go when an older relative offered to accompany her.

“I was also worried for her safety as a girl leaving home at night, but after the older relative said she would accompany the five cousins, I allowed her to go,” she said.

She blamed responsibility for her daughter’s death on both the stadium contractor, who prioritised terraces over overall safety, and the police, who allegedly resorted to force instead of effectively managing the crowd at the gate.

She appealed to the government for financial support to cover funeral expenses and compensate the family, recognising their financial vulnerability as poor farmers.

“We are just poor farmers and own very little. We can’t bear any sudden financial burden like what we are facing,” she said.

Chepkemoi’s father, David Cheruiyot, described his daughter as obedient and hardworking, highlighting her aspirations to join college after completing her KCSE in 2021 with a C- (minus).

Mr Cheruiyot attributed the tragedy to the stadium contractor’s failure to address glaring safety hazards at the gate.

“I also went to the stadium and was shocked to see a wide, deep, uncovered trench at the gate where my daughter and others had no chance of survival,” he said.

One of the injured police officers admitted to the Kericho County Hospital after he was injured during a stampede at the Kericho Green Stadium on October 20, 2023. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who visited the grieving family, expressed dissatisfaction with the stadium construction.

Koech, who is also the National Assembly’s Defense Committee Chairman, hailed the stampede victims and survivors as true patriots.

“We are going to assist the families who went out to celebrate the heroes of yesteryears, only to die or get injured at the stadium gates.

“Their patriotism made them the true Mashujaa of the 60th celebrations, and the government will support the families of the deceased or those injured during the stampede,” he said.

William Melly, a witness, detailed the harrowing experience, saying the situation escalated when General Service Unit officers attempted to control the crowd at Gate C of the stadium, triggering a stampede.

He sustained bruises and a sprained ankle and hand as a result of the chaos.

“People began falling into a deep trench running along the gate. I fell into it too. I passed out; I don’t know what happened next until I found myself at the hospital,” he said.