Kalonzo decries ticket hoarding, vows to sponsor 500 fans to watch CHAN matches
By Arnold Ngure, August 3, 2025Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has decried what he terms as ticket hoarding by the regime.
In a statement on Sunday, August 3, 2025, after the electric opener between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kalonzo stated that the bulk buying of tickets had denied genuine fans an opportunity to enjoy soccer.
“Football is a universal language that brings people together, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or political affiliations. Thus, this regime’s wholesale ticket buying, which denies genuine football fans the opportunity to see their Harambee Stars, should be condemned,” Kalonzo said.
Genuine fans
The WPF party leader equally observed that to ensure fans attend upcoming Harambee Stars matches at Kasarani, he would sponsor at least 500 people to get the experience.
“I’m sponsoring 500 fans to attend the next three CHAN2024 Harambee Stars matches at Kasarani through the Kenya Football Fans Federation (KEFOFA), of which I am the patron. Football is for everyone,” Kalonzo stated.
This comes after hundreds of seats remained vacant at the Moi International Sports Centre-Kasarani Stadium during Kenya’s game against the DRC.
Sold out tickets
While the tickets had been declared sold out on July 29, 2025, five days before the match, the seats remained vacant even as fans missed out on an opportunity to see their team win their opening match against DRC.
A section of politicians was seen distributing tickets to their loyal supporters, while several other individuals camped at the stadium’s precincts, selling the tickets at a profit.
Austin Odhiambo wrote his name into Kenyan football folklore by scoring the Harambee Stars’ first goal in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), firing the hosts ahead against two-time winners DR Congo in their Group A opener at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The breakthrough came in the final moments of the first half, during stoppage time. Austine danced through DR Congo’s defence before slotting home a nicely worked shot at the bottom corner.
Kenya will play against Angola on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Morocco on Sunday, August 10, 2025, and against Zambia on Sunday, August 17, 2025.