Kenya, March 23 -- Tensions ran high at Nyayo Stadium today as Kenyan football fans attending the Harambee Stars match against Gabon turned the event into a platform for political expression.
Amid cheers for the national team, a significant portion of the crowd erupted into chants of "Ruto Must Go!"-a direct jab at President William Ruto.
The chants, which echoed through the stands during the highly anticipated fixture, underscored growing public discontent with the current administration.
Spectators, waving Kenyan flags and clad in the team's red, green, and white colours, appeared united in their dual purpose: supporting the Harambee Stars and voicing frustration over political leadership.
Eyewitnesses reported that the chants grew louder at key moments of the match, briefly overshadowing the action on the pitch.
While the game remained the focal point for many, the political undertones were impossible to ignore, with some fans holding up makeshift signs echoing the same sentiment.
Authorities at the stadium maintained order, and the match proceeded without major disruptions.
However, the vocal display has sparked discussions online and among analysts about the intersection of sports and politics in Kenya, especially as public sentiment continues to shift.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.