CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars Attendance Slashed at Kasarani After CAF Security Clampdown

Sunday afternoon witnessed thousands of Kenyan football enthusiasts throng Kasarani Stadium to witness a historic 1-0 victory over pre-tournament favourites Morocco.

But the joy of winning goal by Ryan Ogam for Benni McCarthy's side was dampened by rowdy scenes on and off the Moi International Sports Centre.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since acted, issuing a stern verdict on Harambee Stars games at Kasarani in the future.

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The move comes in the wake of ongoing crowd control blunders, ticketing chaos, and safety breaches that have raised doubts as to whether Kenya can safely host the matches in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

"In view of repeated and serious security breaches of Kenya's home games at Kasarani Stadium, CAF decided to impose immediate measures on upcoming games in Kasarani concerning the Host Nation," a CAF letter to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) seen by Pulse Sports stated.

The Morocco game saw fans scaling perimeter fences, opening gates, and jamming over-capacity stands beyond the stadium's official 48,063 capacity.

Fans holding what appeared to be valid tickets were stranded outside after unknowingly paying twice for them from rogue resellers. Others accused police of using tear gas to disperse crowds at one of the lower gates, with accounts of panic and injuries.

CAF's disciplinary and security committees have opened formal investigations, but in the meantime, the governing body has put strict new limits and operating requirements on Kenya's last home games.

Under the new rules, Kasarani’s capacity for Harambee Stars matches will be capped at 60%, meaning only 27,000 fans will be allowed in. Entry will be strictly limited to electronic ticket holders, with thermal paper tickets banned outright in an effort to clamp down on counterfeiting and bulk resales.

CAF has also instructed the LOC and the Kenyan government to launch a "public media campaign reinforcing safety protocols and entry requirements," under threat of losing the matches being moved to an alternative venue.

"These incidents involve unacceptable risks to spectators, staff, and the integrity of the tournament," the CAF letter warned.

"Failure to do so can result in more severe penalties, including the possible consideration of alternative locations for future Host Team games."

The CAF directive had recognized major shortcomings in match-day organization. These had included loss of control at entry and exit points, violent clashes between spectators and security staff, unsafe vehicle movement within spaces of spectators, and the failure to submit medical incident reports as injuries were reported.

"Spectators who had no tickets and physical ticket-holders who stormed the stadium gates and PSAs, perimeter fence incursions, and loss of control at the exit points," the letter explained.

It also mentioned "ineffective police response despite repeated appeals for intervention" and "lack of communication equipment and absence of CCTV cover at main entry points."

Kasarani will host three more matches in the championship, including Kenya's match against Zambia on Sunday that will decide Kenya's fate and a quarter-final. With the new restrictions now in place, the FKF has a countdown to guarantee CAF and fans that such pandemonium will no longer be experienced.