Nairobi, Kenya – Outrage has erupted across the country after a viral video surfaced showing Mogadishu City FC fans mocking the Kenyan national flag following a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League clash against Kenya Police FC at Nyayo Stadium on September 20, 2025.
Kenya Police FC defeated Mogadishu City Stars 3–1, but the post-match scenes sparked fury far beyond the pitch. In one clip, two Mogadishu supporters are seen spreading the Kenyan flag on the ground before kicking it. Another is captured, grabbing the flag, rubbing it against his lap while laughing. A different video shows a Somali fan in traditional attire snatching a flag from a Kenya Police supporter and tossing it aside.
Kenyans online condemned the acts as blatant disrespect to a symbol protected under the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap 99), which strictly forbids misuse of the flag. Offenders face penalties of up to Sh5,000, six months in jail, or both.
The law prohibits ordinary citizens from flying flags on vehicles, an honor reserved for top state officials, including the President, Deputy President, Chief Justice, Speakers of Parliament, and Cabinet Secretaries. It also bars unauthorized commercial use, manufacturing merchandise with the flag, or displaying it disrespectfully, such as upside down, torn, dirty, or touching the ground.
While institutions can fly the flag on official holidays or significant occasions, its handling carries a solemn weight. The law mandates that it must always fly highest unless directed otherwise by the government. It should also only be flown at half-mast during official periods of national mourning as declared by the President.
The incident has since fueled debate on respect for national symbols during international sporting events, with many Kenyans urging authorities and CAF to take action.
