In a heartbreaking turn of events during the national celebrations of Mashujaa Day at Kericho Green Stadium, a stampede claimed the lives of four individuals and left 13 others injured.

The tragic incident unfolded early Friday at Gate "C" of the stadium, sending shockwaves through the community and casting a sombre shadow over the day's festivities.

The incident transpired at 3 a.m., with panic gripping the crowd after an accidental spill of hot tea by a hawker.

The hot liquid, mistakenly perceived as teargas, incited chaos among those gathered.

Among the injured were three police officers, with one suffering a fracture on the right leg, another sustaining a cut wound on the right eye, and the third officer experiencing a head injury.

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Additionally, two Community Health Promoters faced injuries, one with a neck injury and the other with wounds on the back and left leg.

A police report, detailing the tragic events, revealed, "Several people who wanted to gain entry to the stadium were injured and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital. Sadly, four women passed away while undergoing treatment at the hospital."

As of now, the identities of the deceased remain unknown, and their bodies were transported to the morgue for further identification and post-mortem examinations.

The injured, ranging in age from 17 to 67 years old, sustained various injuries, including soft tissue injuries and harm to their backs, legs, shoulders, and chests.

Despite the severity of the incident, all the injured individuals are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving medical care at Kericho County Referral Hospital.

A local nurse at Kericho County Referral Hospital provided a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.

"Unfortunately, we lost the four who sustained serious injuries during the stampede. However, the 13 are in a stable condition and responding well to treatment," the nurse stated.

President William Ruto, who presided over the Mashujaa Day celebrations, arrived at the scene much later, at 10 a.m., after the tragic stampede had occurred.

The delay in his arrival did not go unnoticed by the affected community members and the nation at large.

As the nation mourns the loss of four lives and prays for the swift recovery of the injured, questions regarding the event's security measures and the response time of authorities are likely to arise. 

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety measures during public gatherings of this magnitude.