- Harambee Stars lost 3–1 to Gambia at Kasarani, ending their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
- Footage showed fans throwing down a scarf with the national flag and stepping on it.
- The act has been widely condemned as a betrayal of national pride.
- Desecration of the flag is a criminal offence under Kenyan law, punishable by a fine or jail term.
- Debate has emerged over patriotism and the limits of fan frustration.
Kenya’s World Cup dream ended on a sour note after Harambee Stars fell 3–1 to Gambia at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. But it was the behaviour of some fans after the match that sparked national outrage.
A video circulating on social media shows a group of supporters throwing down a scarf bearing the Kenyan flag and trampling on it in frustration. The clip drew immediate condemnation, with many Kenyans calling the act a betrayal of national values.
“We defend our flag with our lives. To see it treated this way is shameful,” one user wrote online.
The National Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 99) protects the Kenyan flag from misuse or insult. Stepping on the flag may amount to desecration, a criminal offence that attracts a fine of up to Ksh5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Authorities could prosecute those involved in the Kasarani incident if they are identified.
In many countries, desecrating the national flag carries serious consequences. In Singapore, such acts can lead to heavy fines and prison sentences, while in Nigeria, insulting the flag is treated as an attack on the dignity of the state.
By contrast, in the United States, burning the flag is legally protected as free speech, though it remains highly controversial.
The Kasarani incident has reignited debate about how far fans should be allowed to go when expressing disappointment. For many, the line is clear: frustration should never cross into disrespect for national symbols.
