Woman killed in Machakos Mashujaa Day celebrations stampede

A mother of six was killed in a stampede during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday, October 20.

Mary Kavata Masiku, who was a peasant farmer in Ngaamba area of Mwala, died in a stampede that was caused by a group of youth trying to force their way to the venue of the celebrations.

Her husband, Stephen Mutua, said he had a conversation with his wife the previous night and received the saddening news at 10:00am.

“I talked to her for almost 2 hours last (Wednesday, October 19) night and when I tried to call her at around 8:00 am today (Thursday), her phone was off. Two hours later, I received a call from a stranger telling me that my wife was critically ill and that I was needed at the Machakos Stadium immediately,” narrated Mutua.

“On arrival, I found that she had already died.”

According to an eye witnesses, Kavata was caught in the commotion as security guards, majorly drawn from the National Youth Service (NYS), collided with the rowdy youth who had tried to force their way into the stadium.

“The security guards had completely sealed off the entry and were blocking any other person from entering the venue as the President was inspecting the guard of honour,” said Jane Mutua, an eye witness.

“The youth decided to force their way into the venue forcing security guards to apply force which led to the commotion.”

She said that the late Kavata was trampled on by the youth and that is when she lost her life.

Medics who came to her rescue after the situation was put under control pronounced her dead on the spot.

The body was removed to Machakos Level Five Hospital mortuary.