Fans breach security at Kasarani over ticket chaos ahead of Kenya vs DR Congo match
Crowds could be seen surging past entry points, pushing against fences and defying security orders in a desperate attempt to access the stadium.
Football fans have overpowered stewards and police and broken through barriers to enter Kasarani Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated match between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and DR Congo in the CHAN 2024 "Group A" opener.
In a video seen by The Eastleigh Voice, crowds could be seen surging past entry points, pushing against fences and defying security orders in a desperate attempt to access the Kasarani International Sports Centre.
Frustrated supporters accused organisers of locking them out of the stadium despite arriving hours before kick-off, which is scheduled for 3:00 pm. Many claimed that tickets were either unavailable or unfairly distributed.
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“There were no tickets anywhere. People travelled from far, only to be told it’s full,” one fan outside the venue said.
Another alleged that the government was intentionally flooding the stadium with selected groups to drown out potential anti-government chants.
Football fans overpower stewards and police and break barriers to enter Kasarani Stadium ahead of the Kenya-DR Congo match. pic.twitter.com/OvMojv2Qxk
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) August 3, 2025
By mid-morning, thousands of fans had begun streaming into the stadium. Some were dressed in Kenya’s national colours, waving flags and chanting slogans in anticipation of the country’s return to continental football.
Kenya is one of three co-hosts of the 2024 African Nations Championship and is keen to make a strong impression in its first game.
Security was visibly heightened, with police officers deployed along Thika Super Highway and major access routes to the stadium. A section of the Thika Road service lane at Roysambu was blocked by officers to control the crowd and ease traffic flow.
In the hours before kick-off, final preparations were still underway inside Kasarani, with event staff adding the final touches on logistics and stadium arrangements.
The Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed it had deployed emergency response units to both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums as part of match-day safety operations. The services include first aid, ambulances, crowd safety teams and tracing services for missing persons.
“We are fully on standby. Our teams are inside and around the stadium, ready for emergencies,” a Red Cross official said.
Harambee Stars are set to make their debut in the tournament today, and despite the disorder outside, the atmosphere inside the stadium remained vibrant, with both Kenyan and Congolese fans cheering their teams.
The match marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s return to continental football following previous international suspensions and supporters remain hopeful that the team will deliver a memorable performance against the DR Congo side.
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