The aftermath of Nyanza Regional KSSSA Term Two games was chaos and death; Riokindo Boys volleyball coach was crushed to death by a vehicle on the Kisii-Mosocho-Oyugis Highway as he ran for dear life.
The violence that was meted by football hooligans armed with crude weapons brought to a halt the games in their final stages.
Football, as has always been, was an excuse for the hooligans, invading the pitch when they sensed their team was going to be eliminated.
The ensuing pandemonium sent people running in all directions, and teachers and players were not spared either. A Matutu player had to be given first aid as blood oozed of his scalp having being clobbered by the rowdy youth masquerading as fans.
Worse was the loss of life by a coach who ironically was trying to get to safety across the road. The hit and run vehicle took his life as it sped off the scene of crime.
All fingers are pointing at the Agoro Sare fans, who were earlier beaten 1-0 by Kisumu Day. They reportedly beat up fans and students of Cardinal Otunga for supporting Matutu, a school in Nyamira.
“Not even the match officials were spared as they were pelted with stones and forced to run for their lives,” said Kisumu County Secondary Schools Sports Vice Chairman Milcah Mutiku.
Nyanza Region Director of Education Lawrence Karuntimi condemned hooliganism because it blurs and hinders games and sports talent in the learner.
Saying that sports and games are meant for holistic development of learners and team building, he said violence has no place in social activities like school games.
Nyanza has been notorious for such behaviour during KSSSA games.
In 2022, an assistant referee was injured as he officiated in a soccer match between Kanga and Agoro Sare and that prompted the organizers to postpone the match and shift it to a neutral venue.
Last year, a match between the same Agoro Sare and their archrivals St Mary Yala was stopped mid-way to avoid chaos from fans and the venue was also shifted.
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By Enock Okong’o
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