Overcrowding at the Kasarani Stadium was evident during the game between Kenya and Morocco on Sunday
Aug. 12 –The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) $15,000 for trouble at their opening match and further sanctions are expected to follow after more incidents at Sunday’s game against Morocco in the ongoing CHAN tournament co-hosted by Uganda and Tanzania
CAF has also highlighted “repeated and serious security lapses” at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium especially when the Harambee Stars is in action.
Attendances have now been capped at the Kasarani, but supporters have called on authorities to resolve issues with the online ticketing system.
A CAF board found FKF guilty of breaching its disciplinary, safety and security regulations when Kenya faced DR Congo on 3 August.
CAF also fined FKF for a stampede, unauthorised access to the Kasarani and an assault on CAF personnel and guests, and issued a warning about a fire being ignited inside the stadium.
Yet more problems arose when supporters then flocked to the Kasarani, officially known as the Moi International Sports Centre, to see Kenya face pre-tournament favourites Morocco.
Apart from overcrowding witnessed in several areas CAF also noted major security lapses including overrunning of stadium gates by ticketless spectators, breaches of the perimeter fence and loss of control at exit points; Use of tear gas and flash grenades, with reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff; Violent incidents, including stone-throwing at security personnel, and inadequate police response.
As a result of the incidences, CAF has limited stadium capacity to 60% for future Harambee Stars games and strictly limited entry to electronic ticket (e-ticket) holders only.
It also mandated the local organising committee (LOC) and Kenyan government to launch a public media campaign.
The LOC issued a statement advising fans to only buy e-tickets from the authorised online vendor, to arrive at the stadium at least five hours before kick-off and to follow security instructions.
“If you are coming to the stadium, please come with a valid ticket,” FKF president Hussein Mohammed announced.
