The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cautioned Kenya that the country risks losing the privilege of hosting Harambee Stars’ TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) matches at Kasarani Stadium due to recurring breaches of match-day security protocols, the latest of which occurred on Sunday.
Ahead of Kenya’s decisive Group A match against Zambia, CAF has outlined strict conditions that must be met to avoid further penalties, which could include moving upcoming fixtures to other venues.
In an official statement, CAF confirmed it had written to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), chaired by Nicholas Musonye, expressing grave concern over repeated safety violations. The body particularly condemned incidents during Kenya’s 1-0 victory over Morocco at Kasarani, which saw fans without tickets, as well as holders of physical tickets distributed by the government, force entry past stadium gates. Other breaches included perimeter fence intrusions, loss of control at exit points, and initial crowd management failures at the Ngomongo roundabout, allowing unchecked access through several gates.
CAF Condemns Ongoing Safety Failures
“The Confederation African Football (CAF) has already written to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Kenya regarding serious concerns over breaches of security measures during the CHAN 2024 matches at Kasarani Stadium,” the statement read.
“CAF strongly condemns these repeated lapses, including the incidents that occurred on Sunday, August 10, during the Kenya vs Morocco match.”
CAF confirmed that the matter has been referred to the relevant authorities for investigation and action. Discussions are ongoing with the LOC and the Kenyan Government to ensure full compliance with CAF safety and security regulations.
Under newly introduced measures, stadium capacity will be limited to 60%, allowing a maximum of 27,000 spectators per match. Only electronic tickets will be accepted at entry points, with printed tickets banned to curb gate crashes and ticketing fraud.
CAF also directed the LOC and the Kenyan Government to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign through the media to educate fans about the revised entry rules and reinforce adherence to safety protocols.
This warning comes just days after CAF fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Ksh 2.5 million (USD 20,000) for breaching tournament regulations, cautioning that further violations could lead to more severe penalties.
LOC Responds with New Safety Measures
In response, LOC chairman Nicholas Musonye issued a statement urging fans to comply with the new safety guidelines.
“As we celebrate our remarkable achievements both on and off the pitch, we must address the recent crowd troubles that have marred some matches at Kasarani,” said Musonye.
“To ensure everyone’s safety, the smooth running of the tournament, and to preserve the good name of Kenyan football, supporters are urged to:
- Buy match tickets only from the authorized online vendor, as only e-tickets will be accepted for entry.
- Arrive at the stadium at least five hours before kick-off with your e-ticket ready on your phone for verification.
- Follow all security instructions from event officials at all times.”
The LOC warned that continued violations could attract heavy sanctions, potentially depriving Kenyan fans of the opportunity to host such prestigious matches in the future.
Plans are also underway to establish official Fan Zones for supporters to watch Harambee Stars’ final Group A game against Zambia in a safe and controlled environment on Sunday, August 17.
