The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) KSh 6.5 million following safety and security breaches during Sunday’s 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Kenya and Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board said the match failed to meet the body’s strict safety and security requirements, citing overcrowding, poor access control, and inadequate crowd management. The continental football governing body warned that continued non-compliance could see Harambee Stars’ future fixtures moved to neutral venues outside Kenya.
The development comes as a blow to FKF, which has been working to restore its international standing following past governance and organizational challenges. CAF’s warning underscores the heightened scrutiny on match-hosting standards, especially after several incidents in African football where poor security led to injuries and fatalities among fans.
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In response to the fine and warning, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba Mvurya has directed FKF to set up CHAN 2024 fan zones across Nairobi. These will serve as alternative viewing venues to ease congestion at Kasarani during Harambee Stars matches. The government hopes the move will improve fan experience and reduce the risk of security breaches during high-profile fixtures.
Meanwhile, FKF has announced a schedule change for the Kenya vs Zambia CHAN qualifier. Initially set for 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Kasarani, the match will now be played at 3:00 p.m. FKF said the adjustment aims to enhance safety, ease logistical operations, and accommodate broadcasting requirements.
Kenya has had a mixed history with CAF over match organization. In 2021, the country narrowly avoided sanctions after a World Cup qualifier against Uganda was delayed due to crowd control issues. In 2019, CAF flagged concerns over inadequate medical facilities and poor ticketing systems at a Harambee Stars AFCON qualifier, urging immediate reforms.
Sunday’s incident serves as a reminder that, while Kenya has passionate football supporters, stadium management and event planning remain areas that require consistent improvement to meet international standards. With Harambee Stars enjoying strong home support and high expectations ahead of CHAN 2024, FKF will be under pressure to ensure future matches are incident-free, safeguarding both the fans’ safety and Kenya’s ability to host international
