Shabana Football Club has lodged an appeal with the Sports Dispute Tribunal, seeking to overturn a ban imposed by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after incidents of unrest and property damage at the Ulinzi Complex during a recent match.
The club’s legal team, comprising lawyers Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, Sam Nyaberi, and Paul Macharia, argues that the sanctions imposed on the club and its supporters are excessively harsh and lack sufficient justification.
The controversy erupted after a match between Shabana FC and Ulinzi, which concluded in a 2-2 draw.
Following the event, FKF Chairman Michael Majua directed that all Shabana supporters be barred from attending the next five matches and mandated the club to cover the medical expenses of officers injured during the chaos.
In the appeal, lawyer Dasntan Omari contended that there is no substantial evidence that Shabana FC fans were responsible for the damage at the stadium.
“There is no CCTV footage showing what transpired leading up to the alleged destruction,” Omari stated. “The decision to bar our fans is punitive, and none of them were given the opportunity to present their side of the story.”
The lawyers emphasized the financial implications of the ban, noting that it would significantly affect local businesses that rely on match-day revenue.
“As we speak, hotels are booked, and local vendors—including those selling bananas and cooking for fans—will suffer great losses if the ban remains in place,” Omari added.
He called upon Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and President William Ruto to intervene, suggesting that there may be ulterior motives behind the FKF’s actions aimed at stifling talent from the Gusii region.
