Kenyan World Cup security guard dies after ‘falling’ at stadium, family wants answers

A Kenyan man working as a security guard at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar died in a hospital after he reportedly fell while he was on duty at the Lusail Stadium, his family and officials told CNN. In the wake of the incident, the deceased, identified as 24-year-old John Njue Kibue, was taken to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital where he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a medical certificate obtained by the news outlet revealed. 

The document stated that the migrant worker suffered a “severe head injury, facial fractures and pelvic fractures.” Medical records also showed that Kibue had been unresponsive since Saturday, adding that he was put on a ventilation machine.

Kibue’s sister, Ann Wanjiru, said that her brother’s employer contacted the family on Saturday to inform them that their deceased relative had fallen from the stadium’s 8th floor while he was working. “We don’t have the money to get justice for him, but we want to know what happened,” she told the news outlet.

The organizers of the World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, released a statement announcing the African migrant worker’s passing.

“We regret to announce that, despite the efforts of his medical team, he sadly passed away in hospital on Tuesday 13 December, after being in the intensive care unit for three days,” the statement said. “His next of kin have been informed. We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.”

Prior to the announcement of his death, the committee released an initial statement about the reported fall. “Qatar’s tournament organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation,” the committee said. “We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed.”

Kibue was employed by a Qatari company called Al Sraiya Security Services. But his family said his employer has not provided details on the circumstances surrounding his fall or death, CNN reported.

“We want justice. We want to know what caused his death. They have never sent us a picture to show where he fell from or given us any other information,” Wanjiru said.

The Kenyan embassy in Qatar confirmed the incident to the news outlet, saying that it was “undertaking necessary consular assistance whilst awaiting official communication from Qatar’s Supreme Committee and competent authorities.”

Kibue’s family said he relocated to Qatar in November last year after Al Sraiya Security Services offered him a contract. “He came here to support his family back home but by bad luck his dreams came to an end today,” a WhatsApp message sent to his colleagues read. “Let’s do something for our beloved comrade.”

Kibue’s death comes after another migrant worker reportedly died after the tournament kicked off. That person is said to have died at a resort where the Saudi Arabian team was staying during the tournament’s group stages. The worker’s death was reported as an accident.