Murkomen urges Sakaja to set up big screens for CHAN fans across Nairobi to decongest Kasarani Stadium
Murkomen emphasised that the Government has put in place enough mechanisms to ensure that Kenya is not in breach of CAF rules during the ongoing CHAN tournament.
The Ministry of Interior has now urged the Nairobi County Government to collaborate with the Sports Ministry and set up large screens in strategic locations for African Nations Championships (CHAN) fans in a bid to ease congestion at Kasarani Stadium and ensure more supporters can follow the matches safely.
Speaking on Tuesday during his 28th Jukwaa La Usalama tour in Nakuru, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said this will help prevent overcrowding and enforce the capacity limits set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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“There will be big demand and festivals for fans watching together, and this might ease the burden,” he said, calling on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to work with the Sports Ministry in this effort.
Murkomen emphasised that the Government has put in place enough mechanisms to ensure that Kenya is not in breach of CAF rules during the ongoing CHAN tournament.
He revealed that the National Police Service (NPS) has prepared sufficient officers to enforce the penalty imposed for limiting Kasarani’s capacity to 27,000 spectators.
“Fans are a very important part of the game. But I’d like to implore Kenyans to go to the stadium only if they have tickets,” the CS said.
He cautioned fans without tickets to avoid the embarrassment of being denied entry.
“The NPS is preparing enough officers to enforce the directive given by CAF and ensure adequate security. They will also ensure unticketed fans do not access Kasarani to protect the country,” Murkomen added.
He warned that exceeding the stadium’s capacity would create security problems and damage Kenya’s reputation.
“It is going to reflect badly on us, and it will give us security problems if the capacity of the stadium is exceeded. For the sake of our team and we all want Harambee Stars to reach the finals, we must respect the regulations CAF has put in place and even the penalty they have given us to play at 60 per cent. Let’s just abide by it and buy tickets the way it’s required. It is important to do so,” he said.
Murkomen noted that CHAN serves as a curtain-raiser for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), making it vital for Kenya to follow the rules.
He also revealed that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja missed the Nakuru Jukwaa La Usalama event as he was holding a series of meetings in Nairobi aimed at strengthening security ahead of the Sunday match.
“The IG is holding a series of meetings to discuss the question of how to manage security in the Kasarani stadium. As the NPS, we are proud that our officers are part of the national team in this CHAN and as Premier League champions, we have direct interest in matters of football,” he said.
“The fans are extremely important to us, and in fact, they are always called the 12th player. And we don’t want to miss the opportunity to play without fans.”
He lauded President William Ruto’s government for hosting something Kenyans have been yearning for over 40 years. He, however, maintained that rules must be followed.
“This is hunger that Kenyans have, which is a positive problem that should be harnessed properly, but we must play by the rules and see how we can support sports in the county,” he said.
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