Security agencies up their game at Kenya, Zambia Chan clash

Kenyans go through security checks before Harambee Stars match against Zambia on Aug 17, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Sunday's African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash between Harambee Stars and Zambia's Chipolopolo at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, drew heavy security around the facility and its vicinity. Not taking any chances, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and the government deployed a multi-agency operation involving the General Service Unit (GSU), regular police, and intelligence teams, in an effort to avert a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred Kenya's last game against Morocco. Fans began streaming into Kasarani as early as midday, three hours before kickoff, but were met with multiple security checks meant to prevent entry without tickets. The first line of security was mounted far from the stadium itself. Roadblocks were erected on Thika Road, where tickets were checked before fans could proceed. "Only fans with valid tickets are allowed past the Muthaiga checkpoint. Vehicles without authorization are being diverted, and in some cases, fans are required to continue on foot," said Nairobi police commander Joseph Chirchir. A ticket verification tent was pitched more than a kilometre from the stadium. From this point, only verified fans were allowed to proceed towards the gates, either on foot or through organized shuttles. Fans cheer national foot ball team Harambee Stars during their mat against Zambia on Aug 17, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Inside the city, police vehicles were seen patrolling major access routes, including Mombasa Road, Outer Ring, and the Southern Bypass, as part of the wider security net. The measures come after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) slapped Kenya with a Sh6.5 million fine for breaches during the Harambee Stars' match with Morocco's Atlas Lions earlier this month. That match saw fans overwhelm security and force their way into the stadium, with ticketing irregularities raising serious questions about preparedness. CAF has since limited attendance at Kasarani to 27,000 fans just 60 per cent of the stadium's 48,000 capacity. Out of this, only 13,500 tickets were made available for Kenyan fans via Mookh, while the rest were reserved for neutrals and visiting supporters, in line with CAF rules. LOC chairperson Nicholas Musonye warned that Kenya risks losing the right to host the quarterfinals or worse, future tournaments if fan indiscipline continues. "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," Musonye said. Fans cheer national foot ball team Harambee Stars during their mat against Zambia on Aug 17, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] FKF president Hussein Mohammed raised concern about the repeated financial sanctions, which he said were a setback to the federation and a distraction to the players. "The national team is doing well. Let's not deny them victory because of trouble in the stands," Hussein said. He warned that continued indiscipline in the terraces could hurt Kenya's football growth, especially with AFCON qualifiers on the horizon. To ease pressure on Kasarani, six fan zones have been set up across Nairobi. Fans without tickets are encouraged to watch the matches from Uhuru Park, Dandora Stadium, Jacaranda Grounds, Utalii, Kasarani, and DC Grounds in Kibra, where big screens have been set up. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja urged fans to embrace the fan zones instead of attempting to storm Kasarani. "Football is about community and spirit, and that's exactly what these fan zones are about," said Sakaja.

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