Kamukunji MP Hassan calls for crackdown on illegal CHAN ticket sales
By Kiprono Keileb, August 13, 2025Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan has called for urgent action to curb illegal CHAN ticket sales, warning that the vice could harm the country’s reputation and deny it the opportunity to host major international tournaments in the future.
Speaking during a talk show aired by a local television station on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after recent concerns over crowd management at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) matches hosted in Nairobi, Hassan condemned the sale of fake tickets and forceful entry by unruly fans, saying the incidents exposed serious lapses in match-day security.
“Selling tickets illegally is a practice in football all over the world, but we should learn from these mistakes and act decisively. We must introduce stricter regulations to ensure that this does not negatively impact us as a country. It’s up to the authorities to do their job and prevent such things from happening,” Hassan said.
During the CHAN fixtures, several fans complained of being turned away at the gates despite holding what appeared to be genuine tickets, only for investigations to reveal they were counterfeit. In other instances, groups of supporters forced their way into stadiums without paying, overwhelming security, and creating overcrowding in some stands.
Warning
Hassan warned that such disorderly scenes not only tarnish Kenya’s image in the eyes of continental and global football bodies but also threaten the safety of players and fans. He emphasised that securing hosting rights for major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations or international youth tournaments demands rigorous security measures and effective crowd management.
“If we cannot guarantee proper ticketing and crowd management, CAF and FIFA will simply not trust us with their tournaments. We must show that Kenya can handle football events professionally.” Hassan said
The lawmaker urged sports authorities, stadium management, and security agencies to collaborate on tougher ticket verification systems, including digital ticketing and real-time scanning, to eliminate the circulation of fake tickets. He also called for increased training for match-day stewards to handle large crowds more effectively and prevent forceful entries.
“This is about protecting our football and giving our fans a safe, enjoyable experience. We owe it to the sport, the players, and the country to get it right,” the lawmaker concluded.
His remarks come as Kenya positions itself to bid for future continental competitions, with the government investing heavily in upgrading stadiums to international standards.