The Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for calm and reconciliation ahead of the upcoming football match between Kenyan and Somali teams, emphasizing that recent tensions should not affect sporting relations.
Speaking on Thursday, the CS noted that Kenyans should approach the weekend fixture with a spirit of sportsmanship rather than seeking retribution over recent controversies involving the national flag.
In a statement that seeks to separate sporting competition from political grievances, Murkomen emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic and sporting relations despite recent provocations.
"The match between the team from Somalia and Kenya is a football match. And football brings people together. It's not supposed to create conflict," he stated.
The CS confirmed that the upcoming fixture should be viewed purely as a sporting event rather than an opportunity for retaliation or revenge.
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Murkomen specifically addressed concerns that Kenyan fans might use the match as a platform to express anger over the flag incident.
"There is nothing for Kenyans to take revenge against Somalia, because Somalia has not wronged any Kenyan," he declared. "The two young men who are involved in that act of desecration of our national flag are personally responsible."
Murkomen's conciliatory remarks follow a week of intense public anger after video footage emerged showing the Kenyan national flag being disrespected during a football match at Nyayo Stadium.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations made a significant breakthrough in their probe when they apprehended 17-year-old Ibrahim Haidar Yusuf, identified as one of the main perpetrators in the widely circulated footage.
DCI officials emphasized the severity of the offense, explaining that such actions violate fundamental principles of national respect and dignity.
The law enforcement agency highlighted that the incident represented not just a legal violation but also a cultural affront to Kenyan values and national heritage.
Legal experts note that Section 2B of the Act specifically addresses various forms of disrespect toward national symbols, including the flag, anthem, and other emblems. The law covers not just physical acts of desecration but also verbal, written, or gestural forms of disrespect that could be deemed offensive to national dignity.
The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing their search for additional individuals who may have been involved in the incident.
The incident prompted an immediate response from the Mogadishu City Club, which moved quickly to distance itself from the actions of its supporters.
Club officials issued a comprehensive apology, acknowledging the incident's unacceptable nature and expressing regret to the Kenyan government and people.
The club's leadership emphasized that such behavior contradicted the values of sportsmanship and international friendship that should characterize football competitions.
They specifically condemned the actions while calling on their supporters, particularly younger fans, to demonstrate respect for all nations and their symbols during future matches.
