Eight die-hard Arsenal fans were slapped with fines Thursday after their wild street celebration to mark the club’s historic English Premier League title victory degenerated into drunk and disorderly conduct.
The Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate directed the accused – David Kipchumba, James Mwangi, Peter Nyaucho, Omar Olentimama, Jesse Murei, Vincent Amoke, Peter Wambua, and Gilbert Kurri – to pay a fine of Sh500 each after they pleaded guilty.
The court heard that the eight were arrested by police officers on patrol on the night of May 20, 2026 at Kimumu Estate along the Eldoret-Iten Highway. This followed a wave of noise complaints from frustrated residents.
The prosecution told the court that the accused were found staggering, shouting and blocking streets while heavily intoxicated, coming shortly after Arsenal was confirmed Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.
While pleading for leniency, the remorseful fans promised the court that they will never disturb the public peace again
“Your honour, I regret my action which was as a result of joy following my team’s victory,”one of the accused told the court during mitigation.
However, while delivering his ruling, the magistrate cautioned football enthusiasts against infringing on the rights of others, citing Section 33 (1) as read with Section 33 (2) of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act No. 14 of 2010.
The magistrate also used the opportunity to challenge local patriotism, questioning why Kenyan fans invest so much chaotic energy into foreign clubs at the expense of homegrown talent.
“I just wonder why you guys fancy celebrating and shouting around for foreign teams when they win the premier league at the expense of our local football teams,” he posed.
