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Gor reluctantly take ‘Mashemeji’ derby to Raila Odinga Stadium

Ongoing expansion and rehabilitation works at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay Town on April 29, 2025. The sports facility will host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations. 

Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group

By  Victor Otieno

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Kenya will co-host the two major football tournaments with Uganda and Tanzania.
  • Gor Mahia will face Muranga Seal in an FKF Cup semi-final tie today at Dandora Stadium.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has raised concerns over the staging of their Football Kenya Federation Premier League return match against AFC Leopards at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on June 2.

He, however, said they had no alternative but to take the high risk “Mashemeji” derby to the 12,000-capacity stadium.

It will mark the first time in nearly a decade that the high-profile fixture is taking place outside Nairobi County.

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The last time that the two clubs faced-off outside Nairobi County was in the Hull City Challenge at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on May 1, 2018, Gor winning the match 5-4 in post-match penalties after a 0-0 draw in regular time.

At the invitation of the Ministry of Sports, Gor are scheduled to face a Homa Bay combined side in an exhibition match at the stadium on June 1 after President William Ruto has led Kenyans in Madaraka Day celebrations at the venue.

“It (hosting the derby at Raila Odinga Stadium) is a risky thing to do but what next? The league has to end and there is no venue,” Rachier told Nation Sports yesterday. 

He said Gor and FKF had agreed on the venue.

“We will have to do a lot of planning to ensure adequate safety during the match,” said Rachier, noting that playing the match in Homa Bay is a good thing to their fans who are based in the region.

He said those who had purchased tickets before the May 11 match was postponed will be refunded.

“The fans should be refunded because the terms of hosting the match at Raila Odinga Stadium will be completely different.

“We won’t charge the same amount as we had intended for the Nairobi game,” said the Gor chairman.

Finding a suitable venue to host the high-risk fixture has been a challenge this season due to the ongoing renovation at Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani.

The two venues are being prepared to international standards for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) scheduled for August 2 to 30 and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Kenya will co-host the two major football tournaments with Uganda and Tanzania.

Gor Mahia will face Muranga Seal in an FKF Cup semi-final tie today at Dandora Stadium.