A football fan died after being shot when violence erupted during a local tournament match at a primary school grounds in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County.

The incident occurred on Sunday night during a Conference League fixture, police said.

According to police, tensions flared after some supporters disputed a refereeing decision, saying they believed their team had scored while their opponents had already taken a 2-0 lead.

The match was abandoned after fans allegedly began pelting stones at players and security officers.

Police said one armed officer became surrounded by the crowd and initially fired three warning shots into the air in an attempt to disperse those gathered.

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When the crowd allegedly did not retreat, police said the officer discharged his firearm towards the crowd, fatally injuring 29-year-old Denis Mutembei, who sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of the ribs, with the bullet exiting through the abdomen.

The shooting reportedly triggered further chaos, forcing police officers, prison officers, players and some supporters to seek refuge inside a classroom, where they locked themselves in until reinforcement officers arrived.

A multi-agency security team comprising officers from Nkondi Police Station, the Tharaka South Sub-County Police Command, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Administration Police Service, Kenya Prisons officers from Marimanti and additional reinforcements from Tharaka North responded to the scene and rescued those sheltering inside classrooms.

Several police officers and civilians were injured during the unrest.

The scene was processed by investigators, and the officer who discharged the firearm was arrested.

Police recovered and retained the officer's G3 rifle and two spent 7.62mm cartridges as exhibits to assist with investigations.

The body of the deceased was moved to a mortuary for a post-mortem examination as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting continue.

The officer involved in the shooting told investigators that he acted in self-defence. Police said statements recorded from witnesses were consistent with that account, although investigations remain ongoing.