Tight security at Kasarani as Kenya faces Zambia in high-stakes CHAN clash
Sports
By
Mike Kihaki
| Aug 17, 2025
Nairobi rolled out its heaviest security operation in recent years as Harambee Stars prepared to face Zambia’s Chipolopolo in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group A match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and government agencies deployed the General Service Unit (GSU), regular police and intelligence teams to prevent a repeat of crowd trouble that disrupted Kenya’s previous match against Morocco.
Fans began arriving at Kasarani as early as midday, three hours before kickoff, and faced multiple security checks to control crowds and prevent ticketless entry.
Roadblocks along Thika Road screened tickets before fans could approach the stadium. A ticket verification tent set up more than a kilometre away allowed only verified fans to proceed on foot or via organised shuttles.
Police vehicles patrolled major routes including Mombasa Road, Outer Ring and the Southern Bypass as part of the wider security net.
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CAF fined Kenya Sh6.5 million for breaches during the Morocco clash, which saw fans overwhelm security and enter the stadium despite irregular ticketing.
Attendance at Kasarani has been limited to 27,000, 60 per cent of the stadium’s 48,000 capacity. Only 13,500 tickets were available for Kenyan fans through CAF’s online portal, with the remainder reserved for neutrals and visiting supporters.
“CAF and LOC regulations are very clear; if you don’t have a valid ticket, don’t go near the stadium. Why take that risk? If we misbehave on Sunday, CAF can cancel our quarterfinal match. We also lose revenue, scare away families, sponsors and partners. That’s not the football culture we want,” noted Nicholas Musonye, LOC chairperson.
Musonye said as many as 75,000 people may have entered the stadium during the Morocco tie despite only 25,000 tickets being scanned.
“More than 1,000 entered without tickets. That cannot happen again,” he added.
He addressed controversy around complimentary tickets circulating on social media. “We bought the complimentary tickets and printed them out, but they were a bit too many. Those are the ones some politicians might have been giving out.
All official tickets are only sold through CAF’s online portal. The only physical tickets are complimentary for guests. Anyone selling tickets outside the stadium is an element we must eliminate from football,” Musonye explained.
FKF president Hussein Mohammed expressed concern about the repeated fines.
“We are deeply concerned about the fines we are receiving after every match, and this will set us back. The national team is doing well. Let’s not deny them victory because of trouble in the stands,” he observed.
Six official fan zones have been set up across Nairobi to ease pressure on Kasarani. Fans without tickets are encouraged to watch from Uhuru Park, Dandora Stadium, Jacaranda Grounds, Utalii, Kasarani and DC Grounds in Kibra, where big screens and entertainment have been organised.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja urged fans to use the zones.
“We have created fan zones across Nairobi so that no one is left out. Tusichome game, let’s enjoy together responsibly. Football is about community and spirit, and that’s exactly what these fan zones are about,” he stated.
Fans expressed mixed reactions. Rose Atieno said, “It feels like a military operation, but after what happened against Morocco, I understand. We can’t afford to embarrass ourselves again.”
Others complained about delays caused by security checks.