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CHAN sobering moments: Nyamu denied VVIP entry as Raila rescues Kasmuel
04th August, 2025 01:14 AM
During the Harambee Stars’ opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the Moi International Sports Centre- Kasarani on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Kenyans thronged the venue to watch their home side win its first game in Group A.
While most of the action was witnessed inside the stadium and on the stands as fans turned out in their numbers to watch the entertaining football game, outside of the stadium was a beehive of activity.
Much so, at the VVIP entrance, where President William Ruto, ODM Party leader Raila Odinga, senior government officials, and their hangers-on jostled to gain entry to the stadium.
Kasmuel McOure wiggles in
Political activist-turned ODM youth leader Kasmuel McOure was saved by a quick reflex from Raila at the VVIP entrance.
Kasmuel was in the company of Raila as they approached the VVIP entrance, but was met with an outstretched arm of the president’s private security, Billy Arocho, who wanted him out.
He, however, wiggled himself out of the imposing security at the entrance amid pleas by Raila’s daughter Winnie Odinga to let him get inside.
In the end, Raila’s significant entourage was sliced to a lean team as the elite presidential protection unit dispersed the rest of his team from the entrance.
Nyamu turned away
At the same entrance, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu was also turned away after she arrived at the venue in the company of a group of football fans.
Pleas by the youthful senator to the presidential security to grant her access to the stadium through the VVIP entrance fell on deaf ears as the mean-looking officers turned her away.
While she failed to secure a spot at the VVIP lounge, where Ruto and a host of senior government officials were, she joined MCAs at the adjacent VIP area in time to watch the match.
“A home win for the motherland! Kenya 1 – DRC 0. The boys delivered, and the flag is flying high,” Nyamu said in a statement after the match.
At the regular ticket holders’ gate, fans pushed and shoved their way into the stadium as the slow ticket verification process caused thousands of football lovers to crowd at the entrance.
Inside the stadium, hundreds of seats remained vacant despite the stadium being sold out five days before the match.
