Kenya Police FC vs Vipers SC match faces backlash over human rights concerns

The upcoming friendly match between Kenya Police FC and Uganda's Vipers SC has sparked controversy, with fans and human rights advocates calling for its cancellation. The outcry stems from concerns over alleged human rights abuses by the Kenyan police force.

The fans and advocates took to social media to express their opinions through a widely shared poster.

Hey @KennethMuguna10 you play for that club "policing through sports"

What do you have to say??#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/C30BVX4lha

— GOAT JERSEYS (@TemperCR7) July 25, 2024

The game, set for Saturday, July 27 at St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium in Kampala, is part of the inaugural Vipers Day celebrations. However, controversy surrounding the Kenyan team's alleged human rights violations has overshadowed the game.

Furthermore, the fans persistently demanded that the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) remove the other participating teams from the competition. These teams include the Kenya Police Bullets and Kenya Police FC.

Although Vipers SC intended the friendly match to entertain fans and prepare their team for the 2024/25 season, they now find themselves at the heart of a controversy that involves broader political and social issues beyond sports.

I have done my part and told the @VipersSC media personnel my opinion.
You can check on him he is in bed with police.
+256 773 688560#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/82CQC2eJHw

— Tros star (@Evans_o_o) July 25, 2024

Significantly, protestants invaded the parliament during the anti-finance protest that started on June 18, 2024, forcing President Ruto to decline signing the finance bill.

Even with these concessions, frustration persists, driven by what many view as excessively harsh and unbalanced reactions from the police to public protests.