Drama as irate youth confront Asembo outside court

FKF vice-president Robert Asembo (right) speaks during a past press conference as federation president Sam Nyamweya looks on. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The free-for-all mid-morning drama occurred at the precincts of the Milimani Law Courts under the glare of journalists and other members of the public.

Football Kenya Federation vice-chairman Robert Asembo was forced to flee for his life as angry football fans confronted him outside a Nairobi court on Tuesday.

The free-for-all mid-morning drama occurred at the precincts of the Milimani Law Courts under the glare of journalists and other members of the public. Asembo was at the courthouse to hear the case pitting the federation against Kenyan Premier League Limited (KPL) over the running of the top-flight league.

Trouble started after the case was adjourned to Thursday to give FKF and KPL time to discuss and agree on several matters, including whether the league body should be charged for contempt after disregarding a court order that had called for the halting of the KPL matches played on the weekend of February 21/22.

However, unknown to Asembo, the handful of fans who had jammed the courtroom had other ideas.

Hardly had he made his way out of the corridors and headed for the exit gate than he was confronted by the mean-looking youths, who were keen on unleashing some blows and kicks on him.

Sensing danger, he took to his heels, disappearing into the monumental courthouse before escaping via the rear exit.

ANOTHER INCIDENCE

This was not the first time Asembo had found himself at loggerheads with fans. In 2011, at Nairobi's City Stadium, during a league match between AFC Leopards and Posta Rangers, he found himself in a similar situation alongside the then outgoing Leopards chairman Julius Ochiel.

The duo had gone to watch the match, just hours after their defeat in the bitterly contested club elections won by Alex ole Magelo, now the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker.

Asembo’s arrival at the stadium 42 minutes into the game only served to worsen the situation as the infuriated fans descended on him and Ochiel with slaps, kicks, blows and insults, forcing them to escape albeit under siege. Police intervened to save them.