UPDATE: Friday, October 10: Four people died following a stampede that was witnessed at the Kericho Green Stadium during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
According to the police, the four women were confirmed dead by doctors at the Kericho County Referral Hospital. The four were among the six that were rushed to the hospital in the morning.
13 other people are still receiving treatment at the county hospital and are in stable condition.
"At about 6 am on Friday morning, it was reported by police officers on duty at Kericho Green Stadium, the venue of this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations, that there was a stampede caused by a lady selling tea outside the stadium who accidentally spilled hot tea into the fire near Gate 'C' along the public road, causing panic among members of the public who mistook it for tear gas being thrown at them," read the police report in part.
At least 6 people including a minor have been injured in a stampede at Kericho Green Stadium as they rushed to get in ahead of the Mashujaa fete that will be led by President William Ruto.
Reports indicate that the stampede happened at the stadium's Gate C as thousands of residents rushed to enter the venue as early as 1 a.m.
The region overwhelmingly voted for Ruto in last year's elections and the rush could be linked to the support he has in the county.
The 6 have been rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment. Ruto is expected to arrive at the venue at 9 a.m.
Police were forced to intervene following the incident and create order at the gates.
This was made difficult because of the muddy pavements outside the stadium that were caused by the heavy downpour on Thursday evening that went into the night.
Residents noted that the crowd overpowered the police as thousands tried to gain entry to the stadium which has a 10,000 capacity.
The stadium was recently upgraded for the event at a cost of Ksh400 million, according to the Ministry of Sports.
As of 6 a.m., the venue was already full to capacity with thousands of Kenyans still outside the stadium.
Ruto is expected to arrive at the venue at 9 a.m. to lead the country on the 60th commemoration of the day marked to celebrate heroes in the country.
The President is also expected to officially launch the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) programme will also be unveiled today. Under the programme, the CHVs will be tasked with visiting homesteads to offer primary medical services to Kenyans.
