The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again imposed a heavy penalty on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after finding multiple safety and security lapses during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) match between Kenya and Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
This latest sanction, the third against Kenya during the tournament, comes with a stern warning that continued failure to meet safety standards could see Harambee Stars’ home matches moved to neutral venues.
In a statement dated August 13, CAF’s Disciplinary Board announced that FKF had been found guilty of several breaches during the August 10 Group Stage clash against Morocco. The fine imposed is USD 50,000, approximately Ksh6.4 million, with CAF highlighting that the violations not only broke matchday regulations but also posed significant risks to players, officials, and fans. The continental body further warned that if these incidents persist, it will have no choice but to relocate Kenya’s fixtures away from home, depriving fans of the chance to support their team live.
CAF has advised FKF to enhance security measures by deploying sufficient trained personnel inside and around stadiums, enforcing road closures on matchdays, and preventing unauthorised access to restricted areas such as VIP and VVIP sections. The governing body emphasised that these measures are not just about ticking compliance boxes but ensuring safety and smooth operations during high-profile fixtures.
This fine follows two earlier sanctions in the same tournament. During Kenya’s opening match against two-time CHAN champions DR Congo, CAF fined FKF Ksh2.5 million after documenting a series of serious security lapses. These included a stampede at Gate 11, unauthorised entry into restricted areas, a motorcycle moving through crowded sections, fires being lit behind the stands, and CAF officials and dignitaries being denied proper VVIP access. The second match against Angola also drew penalties: Ksh650,000 for mismanaging VIP and VVIP areas and Ksh130,000 for allowing flares in the stands. The repeated nature of these offences has raised questions about event management and crowd control at one of Kenya’s premier sports venues.
Kenya was not the only nation sanctioned after the latest round of CHAN fixtures. Zambia was fined USD 5,000 for breaching CAF’s Media Regulations after failing to present their head coach at the mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with DR Congo. Morocco’s football federation, FRMF, was also penalised for inappropriate conduct by its players during their match against Kenya, receiving a USD 5,000 fine, half of which is suspended. All three federations have been given 60 days to settle their fines.
Let’s support @Harambee__Stars responsibly on Sunday against Zambia & in all upcoming games.
Crowd trouble is costing us dearly & we are facing heavy sanctions. Only show up at Kasarani if you have a genuine ticket. Tusiharibu game tumestruggle sana kuijenga.#TusichomeGame pic.twitter.com/ru4ZqBQLwX
— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) August 13, 2025
Nicholas Musonye, Chairman of Kenya’s Local Organising Committee for CHAN, voiced his disappointment over repeated breaches by some fans. While he praised the passionate support shown for Harambee Stars, he criticised those who broke into the stadium or forced entry without tickets, saying their actions were tarnishing Kenya’s image and burdening FKF with costly fines. He lamented that these behaviours persist despite clear warnings, stressing that FKF already faces financial struggles.
The incidents underscore the challenges Kenya faces in hosting major football events. Kasarani, as the flagship national stadium, has been previously flagged by CAF for weaknesses in security planning, crowd management, and access control. With multiple incidents in quick succession during CHAN 2024, there is growing concern that Kenya could lose hosting rights for major matches. Such a development would not only affect the morale of the Harambee Stars but also harm the broader football economy, cutting matchday revenues and affecting businesses that rely on game-day crowds.
While FKF and the LOC bear primary responsibility for safe match operations, CAF’s warnings also highlight the role of fans. Disorderly conduct — from lighting flares to breaching restricted zones — directly contributes to sanctions. Kenya’s vibrant football culture is a strength, but when passion turns to chaos, it jeopardises the opportunities that supporters hold dear. Musonye’s call for responsible fandom is both a plea to preserve the team’s home advantage and a reminder of the financial consequences of misconduct.
For the Harambee Stars, the focus should remain on delivering strong performances. Victories such as the opening win over DR Congo and competitive displays against Angola and Morocco show the team’s potential to stand toe-to-toe with the continent’s elite. However, these on-field achievements risk being overshadowed by recurring off-field controversies. As CAF has made clear, even impressive football results can be undermined by poor matchday organisation, leaving the team and its fans facing challenges that extend far beyond the pitch.
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