How female fans are shaping matchday atmospheres in FKF Premier League
By Joel Masibo, March 8, 2026As the world marks International Women’s Day, K24 Sports reports on how local female football fans are increasingly shaping the atmosphere of matchdays in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, transforming stadiums into lively arenas filled with colour, song, and community pride.
Changing the narrative
Once a space largely dominated by men, local football venues across the country are now witnessing a growing presence of female supporters whose passion and energy have helped turn Kenyan football into a spectacle worth watching.
At matches involving traditional community clubs such as AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia and Shabana FC, women are no longer just observers in the stands. They are active participants in the chants, dances, and colourful displays that define the modern Kenyan football fan culture.
Draped in team jerseys, scarves, and face paint, female supporters are becoming central figures in the vibrant scenes that greet players when they walk onto the pitch.
The influence of women in stadiums has become particularly noticeable during high-profile fixtures such as the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. These matches often attract tens of thousands of spectators, with fans travelling from different parts of the country to witness the rivalry.
In recent editions of the derby, the atmosphere inside the stadium has been described as electric, with more than 30,000 fans turning up to watch the game and creating a carnival-like environment through chants, banners, and coordinated celebrations.
Changing culture
Among the most visible groups contributing to the spectacle are organised supporter movements such as Ultras Green 1968 of Gor Mahia and Ultras 1964 of AFC Leopards. These fan groups have adopted choreographed support styles seen in global football cultures, including tifos, giant flags, and synchronised chanting to energise the crowd. Their activities have played a key role in making Kenyan league matches more vibrant and engaging for spectators.
Within these groups, women are increasingly joining the ranks, bringing diversity and renewed enthusiasm to the terraces. Their presence has helped reshape the perception of football fandom in Kenya, demonstrating that the sport is not only for men but for entire communities.
For clubs like Gor Mahia, the rise of female supporters has been part of a broader revival of match attendance. Over the years, the club has seen more young women attending games, something that was rare in the past when only a handful of female fans were present in stadiums. Today, women of all ages can be seen cheering their teams from different sections of the stands.
Gusii experience
The same trend is evident in the Nyanza regions, where Shabana FC enjoys a massive community following. On matchdays at venues such as Gusii Stadium, female fans join their male counterparts in singing club anthems and dancing to traditional rhythms, creating a festival-like mood around the matches.
Even though the Glamour Boys were ruthlessly hammered 5-1 by AFC Leopards recently, the presence of female fans drove Shabana from the stands, before they were ejected from Nyayo Stadium after a heated exchange with a section of Ingwe supporters.
However, the excitement surrounding these games often spills beyond the stadium as supporters parade through nearby streets celebrating victories or rallying behind their teams.
The growing participation of women is also helping make stadium environments more family-friendly. Many supporters believe that the increasing number of female fans encourages better behaviour among crowds while also attracting more families and young people to attend matches.
Beyond entertainment, women supporters are playing an important role in reviving local football’s popularity. Their presence on terraces, social media, and fan-driven campaigns has helped strengthen the connection between clubs and communities.