CHAN LOC wary of Gen Z protests

Local Organizing Committee (LOC) CHAN Chairman Nicholas Musonye (left) flanked by Myke Rabar, CEO LOC before the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture to update the Committee on Kenya's preparedness to co-host the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) with Uganda and Tanzania at Bunge Towers, Parliament, Nairobi . July 24th,2025. [Elvis Ogina/Standard] With Kenya set to co-host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) alongside Uganda and Tanzania, Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman Nicholas Musonye has called for national security stakeholders to revamp safety preparations, warning that current social tensions and logistical hitches could derail the tournament. Speaking yesterday before the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, Musonye revealed critical challenges that LOC is grappling with, just weeks before the prestigious tournament kicks off on August 2. Top on Musonye's list of concerns is the threat of fans attempting to force their way into stadiums without tickets, a scenario he said could result in dangerous stampedes, harassment, and possible injury, especially to women and children. He also said the constrained budget for the LOC operations will also hinder good preparation. "There's a high likelihood that many Kenyans will want to access the stadia free of charge, especially when Harambee Stars is playing. If not managed properly, this could lead to chaos," Musonye told the Dan Wanyama-led committee. "We must work together. Gate-crashing is a real and present threat. We want fans to feel part and parcel of this competition, but it must happen within the framework of safety and order." He said the ongoing Gen Z protests, which have rocked the country in recent months, pose an added layer of risk. These protests, largely driven by Kenya's youth, have exposed growing public dissatisfaction and are expected to influence crowd behaviour during high-stakes matches, particularly those involving the national team, Harambee Stars. "It is noted that the currently prevailing situation in the country, concerning the Gen Z protests, has been identified as a potential risk that can affect the safe delivery of the competition," he added. Other setbacks identified include a malfunctioning EGP (Electronic Government Procurement) system, which is crucial for timely procurement of goods and services. Musonye said the system outage is already affecting critical LOC operations, including planning for the closing ceremony. "The newly implemented EGP system is currently down, which will affect procurement of services and goods for the competition," he said. Additionally, the LOC is yet to secure tax exemptions and waivers for incoming equipment and supplies from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as stipulated in the government guarantee agreement. "Tax exemptions and waivers as guaranteed in the signed Government Guarantee for incoming CAF goods is yet to be effected," he said. The LOC also raised the alarm over public health concerns, noting that the influx of crowds increases the risk of communicable disease outbreaks. The committee has further flagged unregulated vending by hawkers around stadiums as a persistent challenge and a violation of CAF hosting regulations. Despite the looming concerns, Musonye lauded the government for delivering world-class sports infrastructure in record time. "Nyayo and Kasarani are now first-class venues. These facilities will not only serve CHAN and AFCON but can also host the World Cup Under-17 and Under-20 tournaments," he said, adding that the upcoming Talanta Stadium will further bolster Kenya's status as a competitive host nation. Still, Musonye emphasised that good infrastructure alone cannot guarantee the success of the tournament. "We need to complement these facilities with top-notch security and logistical efficiency. Infrastructure is one thing; managing crowds and ensuring public health and safety is another," he said.

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