A family in Githwamba Village, Kiambu County, was left in shock after a domestic dispute over a football match ended in tragedy on Saturday night, September 20.

According to police, James Mbugua is accused of fatally stabbing his cousin, Stephen Njoroge, following an argument during the English Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea. The confrontation turned violent, and Njoroge died on the spot.

Witnesses said the two had been watching the match together before the disagreement spiralled out of control. Relatives mourned the 25-year-old, describing him as hardworking, peaceful, and full of life. 

“This has broken our hearts. Stephen was jovial, kind, and loved peace. We never imagined such a tragedy in our family,” one family member said.

Another relative suggested substance abuse may have fueled the attack, blaming alcohol and drugs for the violent behaviour.

Police launched a search for Mbugua, who fled the scene, and confirmed investigations were ongoing to uncover the full circumstances of the killing. It is yet to be confirmed by the time of publishing this story if Mbugua was arrested.

The Kiambu case is not an isolated incident. Across Kenya, there have been several reports of football-related arguments escalating into violence. Disputes over teams, match results, and even betting outcomes have, in extreme cases, turned deadly.

A common thread in many of these cases is the presence of additional risk factors. Alcohol and substance abuse often play a role, clouding judgment and heightening tempers. Heated emotions, poor conflict management, and easy access to weapons further fuel these situations, turning minor disagreements into serious confrontations.

Most of these incidents also occur in highly charged social settings. After-match debates, gatherings in bars, local screening venues, and neighbourhood TV dens often amplify tensions. In such environments, passion for football can quickly cross into aggression, making small quarrels spiral into violence with tragic consequences.

On September 20, Manchester United secured a much-needed 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League clash, which exploded into life within the opening minutes when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was shown a straight red card in the fifth minute for a reckless challenge on Bryan Mbeumo outside the penalty area.

That dismissal handed United a numerical advantage early on, and they were further boosted by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s controversial decision to substitute off close to 90 per cent of the Blues’ attacking lineup. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a composed finish, before Casemiro doubled the lead with a powerful header before halftime.

The match, however, took another dramatic twist just before the break when Casemiro himself was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. That reduced United to 10 men, restoring numerical balance and giving Chelsea a way back into the contest. In the second half, Chelsea grew in confidence and dominated possession, forcing United to sit deeper and defend their lead.

Chelsea’s persistence eventually paid off when Trevoh Chalobah rose highest to head home in the 80th minute, cutting the deficit and setting up a tense finale. The visitors piled on pressure in the closing stages, but United’s defence held firm to secure all three points.

For United, this result was a vital boost in what has been a rocky start to the season under Ruben Amorim, with the manager hoping it will spark momentum.

On the other hand, Chelsea were left to rue Sánchez’s early sending-off, which left them chasing the game from the start. While they showed fight to rally late, they ultimately fell short, leaving Maresca with more questions than answers about his side’s discipline, consistency, and his own decision-making.