Govt Addresses Violations During Kenya vs Zambia In CHAN 2024

The government has confirmed that no incidents of disorder or breaches of Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations were recorded during Harambee Stars' 1-0 win over Zambia in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Monday, August 18 praised Kenyan football fans for their exemplary behavior during the tournament, noting that both inside Kasarani Stadium and across official fan zones experienced peaceful events.

In a statement obtained by Viral Tea, Mvurya highlighted that celebrations remained peaceful and organized throughout the match.

"I am proud to report that both at Kasarani and across these fan zones, there were no incidents of disorder or breaches of CAF regulations," he announced.

President William Ruto and Sports CS Salim Mvurya arriving at Kasarani Stadium for Kenya vs Zambia on August 17, 2025. /SALIM MVURYA

The Cabinet Secretary commended the conduct of supporters at all 10 official fan zones, which included Uhuru Park, Jacaranda Grounds, DC Grounds, Safari Rally Grounds, Dandora Stadium, Utalii Sports Grounds, Pandi-Pieri Grounds, Nairobi CBD (Archives), Clay City Grounds, and Babadogo Play Ground.

He emphasized that this high level of discipline reflects Kenya’s capacity to host international tournaments while upholding safety and order.

"Fans celebrated with dignity and discipline at all 10 official fan zones, namely: Uhuru Park, Jacaranda Grounds, DC Grounds, Safari Rally Grounds, Dandora Stadium, Utalii Sports Grounds, Pandi-Pieri Grounds, Nairobi CBD (Archives), Clay City Grounds, and Babadogo Play Ground.

"This exemplary conduct across both the stadium and the fan zones demonstrated that Kenya can host and enjoy football at the highest standards of safety, order, and respect," he added.

The CS equally called on Kenyans to "once again to turn up in numbers, those with tickets to fill the stadium with unwavering support while the rest of us rally from designated fan zones, standing united behind our national team" as Harambee Stars take on Madagascar in the CHAN quarter finals.

The statement comes after heightened concerns over crowd control following CAF’s recent penalties on Kenya for lapses in security. Authorities appear keen to showcase the country’s readiness to handle major sporting events without incident.

This is considered a welcome development as CAF has already fined Kenya Ksh12.8 million ($98,500) since the tournament began earlier this month due to repeated safety and security lapses at home matches and games involving other participating teams.

Kenya’s first major fine was issued on August 5 during the Harambee Stars’ 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Kasarani. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed a Ksh1.9 million ($15,000) penalty after incidents that included a stampede at Gate 11, motorbikes moving through the crowd, a stadium fire, breaches in the VVIP section, and an assault on a CAF official by local security.

On the same day, poor management of VIP and VVIP sections during the Morocco vs Angola clash at Nyayo Stadium resulted in an additional Ksh323,171 ($2,500) fine.

Kenya’s second match against Angola at Kasarani on August 9, which ended 1-1, attracted a further Ksh2 million ($16,000) penalty due to unauthorized fan access, mishandling of VIP/VVIP guests, and fires being lit in the stands.

Two days later, on August 11, CAF fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Ksh1.9 million ($15,000) for failing to enforce venue lockdown protocols during the Zambia vs Angola game at Nyayo Stadium.

The heaviest sanction came on August 12, following Kenya’s 1-0 victory over Morocco at Kasarani, when FKF was hit with a USD 50,000 (Ksh6.5 million) fine for multiple safety and security lapses. CAF’s Disciplinary Board cited uncontrolled crowd surges that led to turnstiles shutting down, gates being broken, and fans forcing their way into restricted zones.

Other breaches included invasions of VVIP areas, vehicles being obstructed, stones hurled at security officers, and a drunk motorcyclist driving into the VVIP parking. CAF also reported that one of its officials was blocked from filming the chaos by a member of Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). FKF was ordered to settle the cumulative fine of Ksh12,805,000 in US dollars within 60 days.

Before the game on August 17, CAF had imposed tough restrictions, including cutting down stadium capacity to 60 per cent (27,000 tickets), a difference of 19,000 tickets down from the 46,000 previously allocated for the stadium’s 48,063 capacity.

Further, only electronic ticket holders would be allowed entry, with all thermal paper tickets banned, meaning those who purchased physical tickets were locked out of the stadium.

It remains to be seen, after this latest development, if the same restrictions will continue during the quarter final match or if they will be slightly relaxed to accomodate more spectators. At the time of publishing, ticket sales for Kenya vs Madagascar were yet to go live via Mookh Africa, CHAN's ticketing service provider in Kenya.

A watch party at Uhuru Park as of August 17, 2025. /SALIM MVURYA