Mogadishu City Club has issued an apology after a video surfaced showing some of its fans mishandling the Kenyan flag.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 24, the club acknowledged the incident and termed it unacceptable.
"During the CAF Champions League first leg match held on September 20, 2025 between Mogadishu City Club (MCC) and Kenya Police FC, an unfortunate incident occurred in which a few young fans were seen disrespecting the Kenyan national flag," the statement read.
The club further expressed regret over the matter and extended an apology to Kenyan government and the people at large.
"On behalf of Mogadishu City Club, we strongly condemn this act and extend our deepest apologies to the Government and People of Kenya. Such behavior has no place in football or in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship that this competition represents," the statement added.
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Mogadishu City Club also noted that those responsible should face the consequences and called on its supporters, particularly the younger generation, to uphold respect for all nations.
"We fully support any appropriate action by the Kenyan authorities against those involved. We also urge our fans, especially the younger generation (Gen Z), to always respect all nations, their flags, and their people," the statement concluded.
During the CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg match between Kenya Police FC and Mogadishu City Club held at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, September 20, some Mogadishu City supporters were captured on video desecrating the Kenyan flag.
The match ended in a 3-1 victory for Kenya Police FC, but the aftermath was overshadowed by the controversy.
Footage from the stadium showed Somali fans placing the Kenyan flag on a chair and stepping on it, throwing it on the ground, and one individual rubbing it on his groin.
In another instance, a Kenyan supporter’s flag was snatched and tossed aside.
The videos quickly spread online, sparking outrage among Kenyans who demanded action.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched a probe into the incident.
"I came across the video online showing foreigners stepping on the Kenyan flag after a football match. The Inspector General has since briefed me that the matter is already being handled through the DCI.
"We must establish who those individuals were, why they acted that way, and what action should follow. Their conduct must face the law, since we already have clear legislation like the National Flags and Emblems Act, which spells out how the national flag should be treated and the penalties for misuse. The law will take its full course," he said.
Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria similarly condemned the act, insisting that Kenya’s national symbols must always be respected.
"There are things you may take lightly as jokes, but you must respect the Kenyan flag. At Nyayo Stadium, I saw some of the Gen Z fans, some from neighbouring countries, stepping on the Kenyan flag and even using it in ways meant to demean it. That is disrespecting a national symbol that represents our unity as a people.
"When you disrespect that flag, you are disrespecting the people of Kenya, who allowed you to play here and enjoy freedom in peace. No Kenyan would dare do such to your country’s flag," he said.
The National Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 99) protects national symbols and makes it illegal to insult, abuse, or misuse the Kenyan flag.
Violations can attract penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of Ksh5,000, or both.
