The Football Kenya Federation Leagues and Competition Committee’s ruling that the abandoned Premier League match between Nairobi United and table leaders Gor Mahia stands as a completed fixture has elicited strong reactions within the Kenyan football fraternity.
The match, held on December 21 last year at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi, was abandoned in the 58th minute due to crowd trouble, with the teams locked 1-1.
In a statement on Friday, the LCC said it determined that the match “was abandoned due to force majeure. ( irresistible compulsion). ”
Nairobi United's Frank Ouya plays the ball during their CAF Confederation Cup second round match against Tunisia's Étoile du Sahel in Tunis on October 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
“In accordance with the FKF Rules and Regulations, the result at the time of abandonment has been upheld as a 1–1 draw. Matters relating to misconduct during the match have been referred to the FKF Disciplinary Committee for further action where applicable,” said the statement by the LCC.
Accusing the LCC of being “compromised”, Nairobi United’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nelson Odaya lamented that the committee failed to look into all the circumstances, which led to the abandonment of the match. He said that when the match officials summoned the team representatives to a meeting at the stadium later that day, he listed three reasons why the contest could not resume.
They included time constraints, safety concerns, and depletion of the medic’s medical supply.
In ruling that the match was abandoned due to force majeure, Odaya said the committee overlooked the lack of safety and medical supplies – a situation he said was caused by the "violence committed by Gor fans who beat Nairobi supporters."
“We totally don’t agree with the ruling,” said Odaya on Saturday, who feels the match should have been awarded to Nairobi.
“It is an injustice to Nairobi United. Instead of the committee looking at all the circumstances that led to the match abandonment, they relied on the match report, partially. They ignored the safety and security concerns and the depletion of medical supply which are more serious reasons. There was a hand to the force majeure that they are talking about,” he said.
The match officials cited time constraints as the other reason for the abandonment since darkness had set in and Dandora lacks sufficient lighting to host competitive night matches.
Gor Mahia players celebrate after their 3-2 victory over Murang’a Seal in an FKF Premier League match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on January 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Because the match was abandoned due to crowd trouble, Aduda observed that LCC was wrong to say it was due to force majeure.
He explained that even in circumstances where a match is abandoned due to force majeure, the rules and regulations governing Kenyan football stipulate that the contest should resume the same day if time allows. If there is not enough time, the match should resume the following day.
“What authority do they (LCC) have to make that ruling? Which law allows them to do that?” posed Aduda.
He explained that, as per the rules and regulations governing Kenyan football, if it is proved that a home team failed to provide enough security, it loses the match by forfeiture. In the case where a match is abandoned due to the misbehaviour of a club’s fans, the team also loses the match by forfeiture.
Chaos started when a section of Nairobi United fans hurled objects, including flares, onto the pitch while celebrating the team’s equaliser by speedy winger Ovella Ochieng. Gor had taken the lead in the 15th minute through Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw.
In response, a section of K’Ogalo supporters stormed Nairobi’s section of the stands and started assaulting the rival fans. Several fans jumped onto the pitch for safety.
This forced both teams and match officials to dash to the dressing room for safety. The match did not resume.
In the FKF’s Rules and Regulations Governing Kenyan Football, force majeure is defined as “any circumstances beyond the reasonable control or management of any person that prevents or impedes the execution of certain actions subject to these rules, including but not limited to a pandemic, bad weather, earthquakes, tragedy, or accident.”
A copy of the ruling by the committee signed by the chairman Peter Kamau and seen by Nation Sport stated: "That in accordance with Rule 67 (4) of the FKF Rules and Regulation Governing Kenyan Football, the Committee notes that while there were acts of hooliganism and violence during the match, the same were not reported as the cause of the match being abandoned and as such, the Committee hereby decides to uphold the results of the match at the time of abandonment i.e Nairobi United FC (1) - Gor Mahia (1).
According to the section 67(4) of the Rules and Regulations Governing Kenyan Football (FKF, 2019) if a match is stopped because of force majeure and there is still enough time on the same day to complete a full match, then the match must restart on that same day with the same scoreline and from the minute at which play was interrupted, rather than being replayed in full. If it cannot be completed that day, then the match must be resumed the following day with appropriate arrangements in place for facilities and operations.
