CHAN 2025: CAF fines Kenya following crowd trouble

CAF slaps Kenya with $50,000 fine over stadium safety

Kenya has been handed another heavy penalty over crowd safety and security breaches during the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) warning that matches could be moved if urgent improvements are not made.

For the first time in history, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are co-hosting CHAN. But the milestone has been marred by stadium readiness delays and chaotic scenes outside match venues.

In Nairobi, fans without tickets have repeatedly stormed Kasarani Stadium during games involving Kenya. Videos shared widely online show people forcing their way into the facility, sparking condemnation and renewed concerns over crowd control.

CAF has drawn attention to Africa’s deadly record with stadium stampedes, recalling last year’s Guinea tragedy, where 140 people lost their lives.

Financial penalty and crowd restrictions

CAF fined Kenya $17,500 and limited crowd sizes for their clash with Zambia. The governing body has now imposed a further $50,000 fine, citing “multiple safety and security breaches” at Kasarani Stadium.

In its statement, CAF warned that Kenya must meet safety requirements by deploying additional security and controlling fan access, or risk having games moved to “an alternative venue.”

Government responds with tougher measures

Kenya’s Sports Minister Salim Mvurya said authorities have pledged to comply with CAF’s safety standards.

“We have taken a senior security meeting this morning with the senior ranks in our police service, and we have agreed that we will put extra measures to ensure we secure Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums,” Mvurya told reporters.

The measures will include more checkpoints on roads approaching stadiums, reinforced police presence, and enhanced gate controls.

Acknowledging that many supporters may not gain stadium access due to reduced capacity, Mvurya announced the creation of six fan zones across Nairobi to provide safe public viewing spaces.

Stadium tragedies continue to be a recurring problem across Africa. In 2020, seven fans died in a stampede at a Kenyan football match. CAF has urged all host nations to treat fan safety as a top priority during CHAN.