The Kenya Police FC vs Mogadishu City Club incident began as a night of continental football and ended as a national talking point, after a viral video showed young fans stepping on the Kenyan flag at Nyayo Stadium. Kenya Police FC had just claimed a 3 to 1 win in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, yet the post match footage eclipsed the football, igniting outrage across the country and prompting a public apology from Mogadishu City Club.
What happened after the final whistle
Shortly after the game, clips spread online showing a group of youths handling the Kenyan flag in a disrespectful manner. One widely shared video captured a supporter placing the flag on a chair, then stepping on it while others recorded. In another clip, two boys threw the flag to the ground and stepped on it, an image that cut deep for many Kenyans who view that national symbol as an expression of unity and sacrifice.
Condemnation was swift. Influential voices in Kenyan sport and society called the behaviour unacceptable, urging authorities to act. Sports journalist Tony Kwalanda voiced what many were feeling.
“The flag of Kenya is being mocked, shredded, misused and abused by Mogadishu FC fans at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. When did we get here?”
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The match that set the stage
On the pitch, Kenya Police FC delivered an assured performance that should have been the headline. The champions from Kenya took a strong first leg lead with a 3 to 1 victory over Mogadishu City Club. Scorers for Police were Erick Zakayo, Edward Omondi and substitute David Simiyu, while Isaa Adim Marsis pulled one back for the visitors. It was a result that pushed the law enforcers to the brink of the next round, while reminding everyone why Nyayo Stadium can be such a vibrant stage for East African football.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo kept his public focus on the football, congratulating the winners and hailing the result as a positive step for a club taking its place in continental competition.
“Congratulations to Police F.C. for their 3 to 1 victory over Mogadishu City Club in the CAF Champions League preliminaries at Nyayo Stadium. This decisive win marks a brighter beginning for the team as they step confidently into continental football.”
The law and why it matters
As emotions surged, legal context quickly entered the conversation. Kenya’s National Flag, Emblems and Names Act states that acts which insult or show disrespect to the flag are criminal. Penalties can include a fine not exceeding Sh5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. For many Kenyans, the flag is not just fabric, it is a shared memory of struggle and triumph, and the law reflects that communal understanding.
Mogadishu City Club response
Facing intense backlash, Mogadishu City Club moved to condemn the behaviour and to distance the club from it. The Somali champions issued a formal apology, making clear that the actions seen in the videos run against the values of sport, respect and friendship between nations.
“On behalf of Mogadishu City Club, we strongly condemn this act and extend our deepest apologies to the Government and People of Kenya. Such behaviour has no place in football or in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship that this competition represents.”
In the same statement, MCC supported appropriate action by Kenyan authorities against those involved. The club also urged its supporters, especially younger fans, to respect national symbols at all times. That message, directed at the next generation, acknowledged the responsibility clubs carry beyond tactics and scorelines.
How Kenyans reacted online
Public reaction surged across social platforms, with many calling for accountability. Some urged arrests, others demanded stronger crowd management, and many asked for clear commitments from both clubs and governing bodies. The theme was consistent, respect for national symbols must be non negotiable, whether the culprits are locals or visiting supporters.
Amid the outrage, there was also an insistence on channeling anger into constructive action. Fans and commentators called for better education around stadium etiquette, clearer messaging from organizers, and swift enforcement of existing laws to deter future incidents.
Why the tie is being played in Nairobi
The first leg carried a unique backdrop. Mogadishu City Club hosted the match in Nairobi, since Somalia currently lacks a CAF approved stadium. That reality brought a sizable turnout from Nairobi’s Somali community, thanks in part to mobilization by community leaders. The atmosphere had all the ingredients of a special evening shared across borders, which made the incident feel even more jarring to many who came for football and fellowship.
Sporting stakes and what comes next
The return leg is scheduled for Sunday at Nyayo Stadium, with Kenya Police FC holding a two goal cushion. If the law enforcers avoid defeat, they will advance to the next round of the CAF Champions League preliminaries. From there, they are set to meet either South Sudan’s Jamus FC or Sudan’s Al Hilal, a reminder that continental ambitions remain firmly in play despite the off field controversy.
The challenge now is twin tracked. Players must keep their focus on the football, while administrators, security officials and supporters work together to ensure a safe, respectful environment. The second leg offers a chance to show that lessons have been learned and that the stands can model the same discipline and pride expected from the teams on the pitch.
A moment that tests values
Football has always been more than goals and tactics. It is a mirror, reflecting emotions that societies hold close. When a flag is mishandled, it touches that emotional core. The best response is not only punitive, it is educational, reminding everyone that rivalry can be fierce and still grounded in respect. The apology from Mogadishu City Club is a meaningful step, and it should be a springboard for practical changes at stadiums that welcome diverse communities.
Kenya Police FC, for their part, have earned the right to let the football do the talking. Their 3 to 1 win was built on clarity, composure and clinical finishing. If the second leg is remembered for football rather than friction, both clubs, and indeed the broader fan base, will have moved the story to a better place.
How stakeholders can prevent a repeat
There are practical steps that organizers and clubs can implement immediately. To strengthen prevention and reinforce respect, the following ideas can guide match day operations.
- Clear pre match and half time announcements that explain stadium rules about national symbols and expected conduct,
- Targeted steward training and visible signage in multiple languages to support quick, respectful interventions,
- Swift, transparent cooperation with authorities when incidents occur, so consequences are timely and well understood.
The human story behind the images
Beyond the viral clips lies a fuller picture. Nyayo Stadium welcomed fans from different backgrounds who love the game and wanted to be part of a continental night. Many celebrated together, waved flags and sang. The incident, however painful, involved a small group. The overwhelming reaction from Kenyans, from journalists, and from Mogadishu City Club itself, shows that most supporters reject disrespect and want football to be a bridge, not a wedge.
In that sense, this week has been a test of the values that sport aspires to elevate. Accountability and education are not mutually exclusive. When applied together, they protect the meaning of symbols while keeping the door open to learn and to grow. If Sunday’s return leg unfolds in the spirit of respect, Nyayo Stadium can send a different kind of viral message, one of rivalry matched with dignity.
Key quotes that framed the debate
Some statements captured the national mood and the path forward. They underlined the pain of the moment and the need for concrete action from all sides.
“We fully support any appropriate action by the Kenyan authorities against those involved. We also urge our fans, especially the younger generation, to always respect all nations, their flags, and their people.” Mogadishu City Club statement
“This decisive win marks a brighter beginning for the team as they step confidently into continental football.” Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo
Bottom line
Kenya Police FC’s win should have been a celebration of football progress. It still can be. With an apology issued, laws clearly stated, and a country united in the demand for respect, the second leg offers a reset. The task now is to ensure that Nyayo Stadium is remembered for the football, for the songs, and for the shared pride that comes when the game is played, and watched, with honor.
