The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved swiftly to impose strict security directives on Kasarani Stadium following a series of alarming incidents during Kenya’s recent home matches. The measures, announced in an urgent communication to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman, come after repeated warnings and sanctions over crowd control failures, safety breaches, and non-compliance with CAF’s security protocols.
Hours before CAF issued its sanctions, official ticket provider MOOKH Africa announced the suspension of ticket sales for the upcoming Kenya vs Zambia clash at Kasarani.
In a statement, MOOKH Africa read,
“Greetings,
After the security breach in Kasarani yesterday, ticket sales for Kasarani games have been suspended until further notice from the organizers.
Kind Regards,
MOOKH Support Team”
The decision sent early shockwaves through fans, hinting at the severity of the security concerns that would later trigger CAF’s intervention.
According to CAF, the most recent incidents at Kasarani revealed a complete breakdown in security planning and execution. The problems began well before kickoff, with crowd control failing at the Ngomongo roundabout, a key access point to the stadium leading to uncontrolled entry through multiple gates.
Ticketless fans and holders of physical tickets distributed by the government reportedly overran stadium gates and perimeter fences. Once inside, control at exit points was lost, creating dangerous congestion.
The chaos escalated with the use of tear gas and flash grenades, which triggered panic among supporters. CAF also received disturbing reports of live ammunition being fired near spectators and staff. In the melee, violent incidents erupted, including stone-throwing at security personnel and unsafe vehicle movement through spectator areas.
The federation’s report highlights the inadequate police response, despite repeated requests for urgent intervention, as well as the absence of a medical incident report despite injuries being reported. Furthermore, there was a lack of essential communication tools and no CCTV coverage at critical entry points, leaving officials blind to unfolding security threats.
CAF’s Immediate Sanctions
In response, CAF has mandated a series of immediate measures for all upcoming fixtures involving Kenya at Kasarani:
- Reduced Capacity – Stadium capacity will be capped at 60%, meaning a maximum of 27,000 tickets will be made available.
- Strict Ticketing Rules – Only electronic ticket holders will be granted entry; all thermal and physical paper tickets are banned.
- Public Awareness Campaign – The Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the government must launch a nationwide media campaign to inform fans about safety protocols and entry requirements.
CAF has warned that failure to comply fully and immediately could lead to far tougher sanctions, including the possibility of relocating Kenya’s home matches to alternative venues.
The statement underscores CAF’s frustration, noting that despite “multiple warnings and previous sanctions,” Kenya has failed to implement the necessary crowd management measures. With CHAN 2024 and other continental fixtures at stake, CAF insists that these directives are not optional but essential for maintaining fan safety and preserving the credibility of the competition.
The FKF and government now face a race against time to restore order and confidence at Kasarani. If they fail, the national team could find itself playing crucial matches away from home ,a move that would not only hurt the team’s chances but also tarnish Kenya’s reputation as a capable tournament host.
