If you have been following the Kenyan premier league for the last two seasons , then you will agree with me that the bitter rivalry between the two biggest and most popular Kenyan clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC leopards has resurfaced.
The drama, vigor and sometimes violence can be traced back to the seventies when the rivalry started. There is no doubt in my mind that this is not the beginning or the end of this rivalry.
Tradition
Witchcraft and sorcery mar these matches despite the fact that most of their supporters are urban dwelling folks who know better.
This past weekend, the AFC leopards players did not change in their intended dressing room because of some rumors that Gor Mahia fans had bewitched the room and some claimed that Gor Mahia witchdoctor had slept there that night.
sounds funny but they take these things very seriously.
Rituals like AFC fans strangling black chicken in the field and Gor Mahia fans always praying and invoking their ancestors like Ramogi, Mboya, Oginga etc before the match. these are just but some of them.
Politics
This match was coming at a time when prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi are battling it out for the ODM ticket.
Gor Mahia fans kept singing to their AFC counterparts that Musalia had betrayed ODM by fighting Odinga and bending towards G7 alliance. AFC on the other part kept singing Mudavadi slogans and singing how this was their time.
No love lost
These two clubs keep fighting everyday but on the next subsequent match, the stadium is still packed to the brim with both supporters turning out in large numbers with helmets of course!
Way foward
FKF through its chairman Nyamweya must ensure security is provided for in such matches because it is now becoming obvious that these matches never end without such incidents whether either side wins or they draw!
ushemeji for life!
"siasa za peni mbili"
