President William Ruto on Friday commiserated with victims of the Mashujaa Day stampede in Kericho's Green Stadium.
In a statement shared across his official social media platforms, the president expressed sadness over the incident and wished those injured a quick recovery.
"My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragedy at the Kericho Green Stadium ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. We extend our deepest condolences and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Poleni sana," Ruto said.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragedy at the Kericho Green Stadium ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. We extend our deepest condolences and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Poleni sana.— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 20, 2023
In the unfortunate incident confirmed by police, four women lost their lives after a stampede occurred.
According to the police, the incident occurred after a lady who was selling tea outside the stadium unexpectedly spilt hot tea into the fire near Gate 'C' along the public road causing panic among members of the public who mistook it for teargas being thrown at them.
As a result, 13 people were injured, including three police officers, a community health volunteer and a 67-year-old community health worker.
Those injured are currently receiving treatment at Kericho County Referral Hospital.
"Several people who wanted to gain entry to the stadium were injured and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital on board station motor vehicle and county government ambulances. At the said hospital, four unknown females have been confirmed dead," the police stated.
The dead bodies were moved to a nearby morgue pending postmortem and identification.
