Gor Mahia Formally Petition FKF to Postpone Mashemeji Derby Over Venue Standoff

Record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia have officially submitted a letter to Frank Ogolla, the Leagues and Competitions Manager at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), confirming their inability to secure a facility to host the upcoming Mashemeji Derby. 

The revelation effectively confirms the fears of thousands of football enthusiasts that the highly anticipated clash against AFC Leopards, which was penciled in for this weekend, will not proceed as planned due to a biting lack of sporting infrastructure.

The correspondence, dated specifically for the fixture scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, lays bare the logistical nightmare facing the club. 

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Being the designated home team for this round of the SportPesa League, Gor Mahia bears the responsibility of securing a stadium that meets the safety and capacity thresholds required for a high-risk match of this magnitude.

 However, with major facilities in Nairobi reportedly booked for other functions or undergoing maintenance, the club has admitted defeat in its race against time.

In a direct communication to the federation, the club's administration moved to formalize the postponement request to avoid any regulatory sanctions for a no-show. 

The letter serves as official documentation that the champions have exhausted their options in trying to lock down a venue within the capital or its environs that can handle the massive crowd expected for the 98th edition of the rivalry.

"I write to formally notify your office that, as the host team for the forthcoming SportPesa League match against AFC Leopards (Derby), we have been unable to secure a suitable venue for the fixture,” part of the letter reads.

Secretary General Nicanor Arum, who signed the letter on behalf of the club, emphasized that the situation was beyond their control. 

The administration is now looking to the federation to provide a new window for the fixture.

The ball is now firmly in the court of the FKF Competitions Committee to deliberate on the matter. The federation is expected to review the reasons cited by Gor Mahia and subsequently issue a new directive regarding when and where the match will be played. Until then, the fixture remains in limbo, with the club explicitly asking for a new date.

The admission by Gor Mahia underscores a recurring challenge in Kenyan football regarding the availability of standard pitches. 

"In light of this challenge, we kindly request that the match be postponed to a later date to be communicated by your office in due course, “ the letter added.

The club has expressed remorse over the disruption, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to the football ecosystem. 

Supporters will now have to wait for the official communiqué from Frank Ogolla’s office to know the fate of the derby. 

The club has assured the federation that once the logistical hurdles are cleared and a new date is set, they are ready to host the match.

"We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and assure you of our commitment to ensuring that the match proceeds smoothly once the new date is confirmed."