Police have arrested two Kariobangi Sharks players over the assault of referee John Sulwe during a promotion/relegation play-off match at Ulinzi Sports Complex.

The players, Patillah Omoto and Erastus Chesara, were arrested following a decision by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga to prosecute them over the incident on October 6, 2026.

Sulwe had filed an assault complaint with police after the violent scenes that led to the abandonment of the second-leg tie between Mombasa United and Kariobangi Sharks.

Omoto and Chesara are set to be charged with assault and creating a disturbance.

They are expected to appear in court on Monday, November 9, 2026.

The match was to decide which team would play in this season’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League and which would drop to the National Super League.

Mombasa went into the game with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at Mbaraki.

Trouble began late in the second half when Sulwe awarded Mombasa United a penalty after one of their players was fouled inside the box. At that point, Sharks were leading 2-1, leaving the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate.

Angry Sharks players surrounded the referee to protest the decision. Videos from the match showed some players manhandling Sulwe.

Moments later, irate fans breached the perimeter wall and went after the referee. Sulwe was assaulted as he tried to escape with the help of Kenya Defence Forces officers and match stewards.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said investigations concluded the scuffle went beyond on-pitch sports action, hence the recommendation to prosecute.

The FKF Leagues and Competition Committee later ruled that Sharks forfeited the match and awarded Mombasa United a 2-0 win. Mombasa were consequently promoted to the top flight, while Sharks were relegated to the NSL.

Source