A stampede in western Kenya claimed the lives of four women on Friday as a crowd panicked due to a misunderstanding when individuals mistook the fumes from spilled tea on a fire for tear gas, as reported by the police.
This incident occurred in the town of Kericho, just outside a stadium where President William Ruto was scheduled to deliver a national day speech several hours later.
A woman who was vending tea accidentally spilled it into a fire as people were waiting in the early hours to enter the stadium.
“There was a stampede caused by a lady who was selling tea outside the stadium who accidentally spilled hot tea in the fire near gate C along the public road,” according to a police report, seen by journalists.
“As a result members of public panicked and mistook it to be a tear gas thrown to them.”
Several people were injured and taken to hospital, it added.
“At the said hospital, four unidentified women have been confirmed dead.”
Events to commemorate Heroes’ Day proceeded as scheduled at the 10,000-capacity stadium, including an address by Ruto.
This public holiday is dedicated to honoring those who fought in the battle for independence, which Kenya achieved in 1963.
