Scores of Man United fans in Kilifi arrested while watching Europa League match

Over 40 Manchester United fans in Kilifi county spent Thursday night behind bars after being arrested during the live screening of Manchester United's thrilling 3-2 Europa League victory over Bodø/Glimt at Old Trafford.

While the match delivered a nail-biting performance with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and a Rasmus Højlund double, the fans’ celebration turned into an unexpected detention at Kilifi Police Station.

The fans were arrested in the Kisumu Ndogo area in Kilifi Township, Mnarani Trading Center and Basi area in the Kibarani ward.

Nation.Africa established that those arrested were from targeted video showroom owners.

On Friday morning, parents camped outside Kilifi Police Station to check on their children. However, they were shocked to learn that their children had been accused of gambling.

Speaking to the Nation.Africa, Mohamed Ali, a video room owner, said officers ambushed them and arrested the fans where were watching the match.

Mr Ali said he had just left his workplace when he was informed of the arrests.

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"The police ambushed the video showroom and without any explanation arrested the fans, unplugged the TV and walked away with it. They littered everything, including the disks, and left," he said.

Mr Ali also alleged it has become a habit for police officers to harass them.

Mr Juma Konde from Basi said his brother was arrested while operating his video showroom. About 10 people were arrested including his brother and son.

He said the youth were calm and watching football when the police stormed in and pounced on them.

"We are not happy with the police even to brand our children gamblers, yet they were watching football supporting their team," Mr Konde said, adding that the police have a duty to maintain law and order.

"The officers harassed them and bundled them into a police land cruiser," he said.

Mr Konde said the officers appeared to target particular individuals.

"There are four video showrooms in Basi, and all were operating by the time the police came, but the only targeted one," he said.

Mr Enos Angaiya, a video owner from Mnarani said 15 of his customers were arrested.

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"The police came at 12:30 am, arrested the fans, and walked away with two recorders, a hard disk and a regulator, my film and football license," he said.

Matani village elder Ms Baby Mshenga faulted the police for branding the fans gamblers.

The village elder received a call at 1am from parents complaining that their children had been arrested while watching football. Her relative is among the fans who were arrested.

"Manchester United was playing and the majority of those in the video showroom were Manchester fans. We are not happy with the police for their unjustified action," she said.

Ms Lauz Mathias faulted the police for harassing innocent members of the public instead of maintain law and order.

“We were informed that our children have been arrested and we have come to check if they are alright. I have been unable to reach my son on phone. You know, nowadays, Kenya is not safe, and as a parent, naturally you get scared,” she said.

Dama Birya’s son was also among the arrested youths.

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“I don't know what happened. I’m here to find out why my son was arrested,” she said, while explain that village elders have been at the forefront to fight gambling.

Mr Benjamin Kahindi from Kilifi said his son called him at midnight to inform him that he had been arrested.

“I arrived at the police station at 1am and found the Deputy OCS. I confirmed my son was in the cell,” he said.

However, he says he was asked to go home and report back at the station in the morning.

“I have come to check on my son only to learn that he has been accused of gambling. I’m shocked. We are afraid for our children's safety,” he said.

Kilifi Deputy OCS Mr Henri Mweri said most of those who had been arrested are suspected criminals.

By 9:30am on Friday, the parents were still waiting to know the fate of their children. The OCS had not arrived.

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