FKF confirms postponed Mashemeji Derby to be played on Dec 7 at Nyayo Stadium
Gor Mahia FC vs AFC Leopards SC during their FKF Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on June 02, 2025. Photo/Kelly Ayodi/Sportpicha
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FKF head of communications Jeff Kinyanjui had earlier confirmed that the derby, scheduled for this weekend, had been called off, after Gor Mahia officially requested the postponement after failing to secure a suitable stadium for the clash slated for November 29th.
The clash was expected to be staged on November 30, 2025 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, but was pushed back once again due to venue crisis.
In a letter to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the club
cited the unavailability of approved venues despite being the designated home
team.
Kasarani Stadium, the traditional derby ground, is tied up
with a continental engagement under the Confederation of African Football,
while Nyayo Stadium is booked for a national event, leaving Gor Mahia without a
compliant venue capable of hosting a high-risk fixture of this magnitude.
The decision has left fans frustrated, with many lamenting
the disruption of Kenya’s biggest football rivalry.
Club officials, however, insist the move was driven by
responsibility rather than reluctance, emphasizing that staging the derby
without adhering to venue, safety, and crowd-control standards would pose
unnecessary risks.
Previous attempts to host the derby under compromised
conditions have faced similar challenges, highlighting the need for meticulous
planning and suitable infrastructure.
FKF is expected to consult both clubs before announcing a new date. Until then, the Mashemeji Derby remains on hold, a rare pause that underscores Kenya’s pressing need for more reliable, high-capacity sporting venues.


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