Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have confirmed the postponement of the first leg of the 2025/2026 Mashemeji Derby, pitting bitter rivals AFC Leopards, over the unavailability of a suitable venue.

Initially, the official date and venue for the first leg of the 25/26 Mashemeji Derby were slated for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The change in date and venue came from the fact that Nairobi United is set to use the Kasarani facility for their 25/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage clash against Democratic Republic of Congo outfit AS Maniema Union.

After Kasarani Stadium was booked, Nyayo Stadium became an alternative, but the venue has been reserved by State House for the Monday, December 1, 2025, World AIDS Day national ceremony, with preparations scheduled to begin as early as Saturday.

In a letter dated Wednesday, November 26, 2025, addressed to Football Kenya Federation Leagues and Competitions Manager Frank Ogolla, Gor Mahia Secretary General Nicanor Arum said the club, as the designated host, had faced significant challenges in securing a venue for the SportPesa League fixture.

The letter states that Gor Mahia has been “unable to secure a suitable venue for the fixture” and is therefore requesting that the derby be postponed to a later date to be communicated by FKF.

Gor Mahia regret

Gor Mahia has expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the request and assured FKF of the club’s commitment to ensuring the derby proceeds smoothly once a new date is confirmed.

“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,” Arum stated in the letter.

The Mashemeji Derby is one of Kenya’s biggest football events, often drawing thousands of passionate fans from both sides.

The postponement request now places FKF in a position to either reschedule the match or find an alternative venue, though options within Nairobi remain limited due to ongoing preparations and logistical constraints.

Fans from both clubs will now await further communication from FKF on the new date for the revered fixture. As the situation unfolds, it remains clear that the derby, already charged with rivalry and excitement, has entered yet another chapter of drama, this time off the pitch.