Kenyans on social media have expressed anger after a group of youth were seen stepping on the Kenyan flag in Nyayo Stadium during a match.
On Saturday, Police FC played against Mogadishu City Club for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League preliminaries at Nyayo Stadium.
Kenya Police FC defeated Mogadishu City Stars 3-1 at Nyayo Stadium, kicking off their CAF Champions League first preliminary round matches on a high note.
Kenyans and a host of Mogadishu fans stormed the stadium to witness the match, singing and cheering their favourite teams.
They were dressed in their favourite jerseys and carried flags representing the two countries, waving them side to side as the match went on.
However, what caught the eyes of many after the game was a group of youth who, on different occasions, were seen doing what has been described by many as “disrespecting the Kenyan flag”.
One of the youth, supposedly a Mogadishu City Club fan, feeling agitated, was seen putting the Kenyan flag on a chair and stepping on it repeatedly as he was being filmed.
Another group of two boys were seen walking in the stadium when they suddenly threw the flag down and stepped on it. One of them picked it up and rubbed the flag on his groin.
On another occasion, a fan was seen rubbing a Somali flag on the faces of two other female fans.
The incidents sparked mixed reactions and outrage from a majority of Kenyans who called on the security agencies to act fast and bring them to book.
An X user, Wanjiru, said:
“This is bad manners and disrespect to our nation. Mogadishu FC fans not only fought in Nyayo Stadium but the had the guts to snatch a Kenyan flag and throw it on the ground".
Sports journalist Tony Kwalanda said:
“The flag of Kenya is being mocked, shredded, misused and abused by Mogadishu FC fans at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. When did we get here?”
Interior PS Raymond Omollo congratulated Police FC for the victory over Mogadishu City Club.
"Congratulations to Police F.C. for their 3–1 victory over Mogadishu City Club in the CAF Champions League preliminaries at Nyayo Stadium. This decisive win marks a brighter beginning for the team as they step confidently into continental football," he said.
Kenyan law protects the national flag under the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 99).
The Constitution (Article 9) recognises the flag as a national symbol but does not criminalise acts like stepping on it.
Cap. 99, however, makes it an offence to “insult, mutilate or show disrespect” to the flag or any national emblem.
Offenders face a fine not exceeding Sh5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
