Mashemeji Derby Pushed To December 7 After Stadium Crisis Hits Again

Kenya’s biggest football rivalry has been delayed yet again. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced that the Mashemeji Derby will now take place on December 7, 2025, at the Nyayo National Stadium bringing an end, at least temporarily, to days of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the match.

The fixture was originally scheduled for November 30 at Kasarani Stadium, then tentatively moved to November 29, only for the plan to collapse completely when Gor Mahia confirmed they could not secure any approved venue for the derby. As the designated home team, Gor Mahia wrote to FKF explaining the crisis: Kasarani was blocked by a CAF continental assignment, while Nyayo Stadium had been booked for a national World Aids Day event.

With no qualifying stadium available, the club formally requested that the match be postponed.

FKF head of communications Jeff Kinyanjui later confirmed that the derby had been officially called off for the weekend, noting that the federation could not risk staging a high-risk match without meeting the required safety and crowd-control standards. The fixture, one of the most emotionally charged on the Kenyan calendar, requires a venue capable of handling large crowds, heavy security presence, and emergency protocols none of which could be guaranteed during the venue crisis.

The postponement sparked frustration among fans who had already made preparations for the derby. Social media buzzed with disappointment as supporters questioned why such a major fixture was being derailed by logistical issues. For many, this was yet another reminder of the country’s struggle with reliable sports infrastructure.

Club officials, however, defended the decision, stressing that responsibility had to take precedence over convenience. Gor Mahia insisted the move was not reluctance but necessity: hosting the derby without a proper stadium would have posed avoidable risks to supporters, players, and match officials.

This is not the first time the Mashemeji Derby has encountered scheduling and venue complications. Previous attempts to stage the fixture under strained conditions have highlighted the importance of proper planning and the glaring need for more high-capacity, well-managed stadiums in Kenya.

With the new date set for December 6 at Nyayo Stadium, FKF is expected to hold further consultations with both clubs to finalise logistical details and ensure no repeat of the recent crisis.

For now, the derby remains paused a rare stoppage in a rivalry that has endured for decades, but also a clear sign that Kenya must urgently invest in dependable sporting venues to support fixtures of this magnitude.