CAF fines Kenya Sh12.8 million over stadium security breaches at CHAN 2024

Kenyan football fans cheer during Harambee Stars' 1-0 win over Morocco in their third CHAN 2024 Group A match at the Kasarani Stadium on August 10, 2025. (Photo: FKF)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Wednesday, August 13, 2025

CAF has warned that if such security breaches persist, Harambee Stars matches may be relocated to alternative venues.

Kenya has been hit with Sh12.8 million ($98,500) in fines by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since CHAN 2024 began, due to repeated safety and security lapses at home matches and games involving other participating teams.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has faced multiple penalties for breaches at both Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium, highlighting ongoing concerns over crowd management and stadium security.

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The first major penalty came on August 5 during Kenya's 1-0 victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at Kasarani, where a stampede at Gate 11, motorbikes riding through the crowd, a fire in the stadium, breaches at the VVIP area and an assault on a CAF official by local security led to a Sh1.9 million ($15,000) fine.

On the same day, poor control of VIP and VVIP areas during the Morocco and Angola match at Nyayo Stadium resulted in an additional Sh323,171 ($2,500) penalty.

Kenya's second game against Angola at Kasarani on August 9, which ended in a 1-1 draw, drew a Sh2 million ($16,000) fine for unauthorised spectator access, mishandling of VIP and VVIP guests and lighting fires in the stadium.

Two days later, on August 11, FKF was fined Sh1.9 million ($15,000) for failing to comply with venue lockdown measures during the Zambia vs Angola match at Nyayo Stadium.

The most recent and heftiest fine, announced Wednesday, targeted the Harambee Stars' 1-0 victory against Morocco at Kasarani on August 12, with a USD 50,000 (Sh6.5 million) penalty for multiple safety and security breaches.

CAF's Disciplinary Board found the FKF guilty of failing to meet stadium safety requirements after multiple breaches, including uncontrolled crowd surges that forced turnstiles to close, gates to be broken and spectators to push into restricted areas.

The board also cited VVIP zones being invaded, vehicles blocked, stones thrown at security personnel and a drunk biker dangerously entering the VVIP parking.

CAF added that one of its officials was also prevented from documenting the chaos by a member of Kenya's Local Organising Committee (LOC). FKF was subsequently given 60 days to clear the Sh12,805,000 fine in US dollars.

"The fine is to be paid, in American dollars, within 60 days of notification of the present decision," the CAF Disciplinary Board's statement reads.

"FKF is strongly advised to liaise with the authorities in order to deploy sufficient and efficient defence forces to secure the external perimeter of the stadium and the stadium fence. Furthermore, all roads around the stadium, which have been agreed to be closed as per the security concept, should be closed from 6:00 am on match day."

FKF can contest the decision before the CAF Appeal Board, but will have to first make a deposit of Sh387,840 ($3,000) to the football body's account, in line with CAF's Disciplinary Code. The deposit will be reimbursed if FKF wins the appeal, but will be retained by CAF if they don't.

"The party intending to appeal shall announce its intention in writing within three (3) days of notification of the grounds of the decision. Reasons for the appeal shall be given in writing within a further time limit of seven (7) days, commencing upon the expiry of the first time limit of three (3) days," the document reads.

"The deposit mentioned in article 58 of the CAF Disciplinary Code must be paid to CAF's account. The appeal is invalid without the relevant deposit within the relevant time limit. The appeal does not have a suspensive effect except with regard to orders to pay a sum of money."