Mashemeji Derby: Kisumu fans appeal for official watch parties
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 07.12.25. | 08:56
Supporters who spoke to Mozzart Sport urged the two clubs and the Football Kenya Federation to consider staging an official watch party in Kisumu
The 98th Mashemeji Derby will take place this Sunday at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, pitting Gor Mahia against AFC Leopards in the latest chapter of Kenya’s most storied football rivalry.
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While the country prepares for the spectacle, fans in Kisumu say they feel sidelined and are calling on organisers to bring the experience closer to them.
Supporters who spoke to Mozzart Sport urged the two clubs and the Football Kenya Federation to consider staging an official watch party in Kisumu, a city where Gor Mahia enjoys one of its strongest fan bases.
They argue that other clubs, including Muranga Seal and Shabana, have already been accorded similar fan engagement opportunities this season, and believe the same should apply for teams that define Kenyan football.
James Onyango, a boda boda operator in Kisumu, said the derby means more than just 90 minutes of football for many residents.
“This is a big game for us in Kisumu. We are deeply connected to Raila Odinga and Gor Mahia, and after what we went through a few weeks ago, Gor is one of the few things giving us hope,” he said.
"But we feel forgotten. Why can’t the organisers think of a watch party? Many of us cannot afford to travel to Nairobi, and a well organised event here would attract huge crowds and help grow the game.”
Another fan, Jaoko Otieno, questioned why no effort had been made to explore simple options.
“What would it cost to set up screens at Moi Stadium or Jomo Kenyatta Grounds?” he asked.
At the Kisumu bus terminal, hawker Mourine Anyango recalled growing up on derby stories told by her older brothers, yet she has never seen the match for herself.
“I love Gor Mahia, but I have never watched them play. My brothers always told me about the intensity of the derby, especially matches against Leopards.
Life just hasn’t allowed me to attend a game,” she said.
“If the derby cannot come here, at least bring us big screens.”
Kevin Otiende, who was travelling to Siaya, said the connection between the club and its fans in Nyanza should not be underestimated.
“We need to feel closer to this team. If we can host league matches in Homabay, why not give Kisumu a fan park? Not everyone can raise fare or even pay fifty shillings to watch in a hall,” he said.
This year’s Mashemeji Derby is historic as it will be preceded by a first ever meeting between Gor Mahia Queens and AFC Leopardess.
The women’s match kicks off at 11.30 in the morning ahead of the men’s clash at 3 in the afternoon.
Security preparations have also intensified as organisers have deployed more than 300 police officers and 130 stewards, mindful of past incidents where crowd trouble overshadowed the match.
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