Several hurt in Kenya stadium crush ahead of Ruto swearing-in

The atmosphere in Nairobi turned tense on Tuesday morning as a massive rush for seats at the Kasarani stadium resulted in several injuries. Local reports indicate that crowds attempted to force their way into the venue where William Ruto is set to be officially sworn in as Kenya's new president.

Television broadcasts captured dramatic scenes of hundreds of people climbing over perimeter walls to gain entry. The 60,000-seat facility had already reached maximum capacity long before the sun came up.

Emergency Response at the Gates

At one specific entrance, the situation turned critical as dozens of individuals fell onto one another in a frantic crush. First aid teams were seen rushing to the scene, carrying the injured to standby ambulances for urgent treatment.

Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso confirmed that the stadium was entirely full by 5:00 am. He urged the public to stop traveling to the venue and instead watch the historic event from their own homes to prevent further incidents.

"In anticipation of being part of history, Kenyans have thronged to the venue in large numbers," Shioso noted. He emphasized that these measures were necessary to avoid further logistical breakdowns and safety risks.

A Landmark Transition

The inauguration marks exactly five weeks since the closely contested August 9 election. Ruto secured a narrow victory over his political opponent, Raila Odinga, in a race that captivated the nation.

According to Kenyan law, the president-elect must formally take the oath of office by 2:00 pm on Tuesday. Despite the chaos at the gates, the official proceedings are expected to continue as scheduled.