By Michelle Ndaga
A growing wave of public concern is in the air, Kenyans urge fellow supporters to uphold discipline during the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).
The online outcry follows heavy sanctions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with many warning that continued misconduct could jeopardize Kenya’s ability to host major tournaments and limit players’ opportunities to be scouted internationally.
CAF recently fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) KSh 6.4 million (USD 50,000) for serious security and safety lapses during Kenya’s August 10 match against Morocco at Kasarani Stadium.
Offences included crowd spillover, inadequate road closures, poor security deployment, and interference with officials’ access. The continental body warned that repeated violations could see Kenya’s national team matches played abroad.
This is the second fine in less than a month. Earlier, CAF penalized FKF KSh 2.5 million for unruly fan behavior in the opening match against DR Congo, pushing total fines to over KSh 9 million, payable within 60 days. CAF has stressed that Kenya’s bid to co-host AFCON 2027 depends not only on facilities but also on the conduct of supporters.
Journalists and football enthusiasts are voicing frustration, calling for responsible conduct to protect the country’s football ambitions.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC), chaired by Nicholas Musonye, expressed disappointment over the actions of a few fans and cautioned that their behavior is draining FKF resources. To curb violations, organisers have implemented:
- Fan zones for supporters without match-day tickets.
- Early arrival rules, at least five hours before kick-off, to ease congestion and security checks.
- Ban on thermal tickets with tighter entry controls to block unauthorised access.
With CAF sanctions piling up and public appeals for discipline, Kenya’s football future stands at a crossroads. The collective message is clear: passion must be paired with respect for the rules to safeguard both national ambitions and players’ dreams.
