Gor Mahia moves to professionalise operations after Mashemeji Derby mix-up

Part of the action of the FKF Premier League match between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on June 2, 2025. (Photo: X/Gor Mahia)

By Erick Kariuki
Friday, June 6, 2025

Gor Mahia has begun implementing wide-ranging reforms after confusion at the gates marred the Mashemeji Derby in Homa Bay. The club has issued an apology and outlined new measures to professionalise matchday operations, including removing in-house security from entry points and enforcing e-ticketing.

Gor Mahia Football Club has announced a raft of changes aimed at streamlining operations, improving the matchday experience, and reinforcing accountability across its branches and security structures. The decision follows logistical confusion at the gates during the Mashemeji Derby held at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on 2 June 2025.

In a statement issued on Friday 6 June, the club thanked fans for their peaceful conduct during the high-stakes clash, calling the atmosphere “perfect” for a historic match.

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“We thank all fans who attended the Mashemeji Derby at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay for their good behaviour and peaceful conduct, which created a perfect atmosphere for this historic match,” the club said.

The club also acknowledged the confusion at the stadium gates, apologised for the inconvenience caused, and pledged improved coordination going forward.

“Our sincere apologies to fans for the mix-up and confusion at the gates. We commit to rectify this in our future matches to ease entry at match venues.”

As part of immediate reforms, Gor Mahia announced that stewards, branch representatives, and the club’s in-house security teams will no longer be deployed at entry points during home matches. The management said the move is intended to restore professionalism and avoid conflicts of interest in matchday operations.

“All gates shall be free of stewards, branch representatives, and Gor Mahia security until further notice.”

For their upcoming final home fixture against Police FC, the club will contract independent security personnel.

The internal memo also reminded all Gor Mahia branches across the country to align with the club’s evolving structure. Branches are now required to pay a KSh. 20,000 affiliation fee and hold internal elections within 60 days.

To be eligible, a branch must have at least 50 active, registered members. Additionally, each branch must nominate two stewards, each holding a valid certificate of good conduct, who will then facilitate the election of branch officials.

“The role of stewards will purely be field control,” the club clarified.

In its push for modernisation, Gor Mahia reaffirmed its commitment to e-ticketing as the only means of accessing home matches. Fans were urged to purchase tickets early using the official link and warned against giving money to unauthorised individuals.

“We urge all to use the official link provided to purchase tickets well in advance… We strongly advise against paying anyone money to have access to the match venue.”

Importantly, the club stated that there will be no exemptions from this policy.

“With no exclusion, everyone, including club officials, will buy their tickets to have access to all our home matches.”