Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has become the latest prominent figure to join the playful football banter between Kenya and Tanzania ahead of the quarter-finals of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The rivalry between the two countries has been growing louder on social media for days, especially after both co-host nations successfully secured their spots in the last eight, alongside neighbors Uganda.
The excitement has created a regional buzz, mixing both sporting pride and friendly competition.
Kenya is scheduled to face Madagascar on Friday at Kasarani Stadium, with the game set to kick off at 3:00 PM. Later that evening, Tanzania will host two-time CHAN champions Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium from 8:00 PM EAT.
The Moroccan side, who finished second in Group A just behind Kenya, will provide a difficult challenge for the Taifa Stars, adding even more tension to the East African rivalry.
In the middle of the hype, unconfirmed reports began circulating online suggesting that some cheeky Kenyan fans had purchased tickets for the Tanzania versus Morocco game.
However, they were not doing so to cheer for Tanzania—instead, many claim they planned to support Morocco and reduce the number of tickets available for Tanzanian supporters.
It was in this lighthearted context that CS Murkomen weighed in with a witty reaction during a fundraising event for Kenyan Premier League newcomers APS Bomet in Nairobi.
“I congratulate all Kenyans who have bought Tanzanian tickets,” Murkomen said with a smile.
“Please make sure you travel and go support Morocco at Benjamin Mkapa. I enjoy the friendly banter between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, but if they keep mocking us the way they have,
I would be very happy if the final ends up being Kenya versus Tanzania in Nairobi. Can you just imagine that?”
Adding some humor in Kiswahili, the CS joked that if such a dream final between the neighbors happens, “Tutacheza kwa Kingereza, game yetu,” loosely meaning, “We will play our game in English.” His playful remark quickly went viral online, further fueling the wave of banter.
Murkomen’s comments capture the fun and spirited mood around CHAN 2024. While the tournament is a serious competition, it has also united East Africans through humor, memes, and passionate online exchanges.
Meanwhile, ticket challenges for Kenya’s upcoming clash with Madagascar have also stirred frustrations among fans.
A crash on the ticketing portal left many supporters stranded, prompting some to instead buy tickets for the Tanzania-Morocco game, which remained available.
On social media, Kenyan and Tanzanian fans have continued to exchange memes, funny digs, and bold predictions.
The tournament has become more than just football—it is also about national pride, bragging rights, and showcasing East Africa’s passion for the game.
As the quarter-finals draw closer, focus will now shift to the stadiums. Whether or not the dream final between Kenya and Tanzania becomes a reality remains to be seen.
For now, the jokes, excitement, and playful rivalry continue to be just as entertaining as the football itself.
