Why Kenya was slapped with CAF sanctions
By Dennis Mabuka, August 8, 2025The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has come down hard on Kenya following a series of alarming security breaches during the Harambee Stars opening CHAN 2024 Group A match against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani last Sunday.
The continental football governing body slapped Football Kenya Federation (FKF) with a fine of Sh 2.5million (USD 20,000) on Wednesday, warning of more sanctions should Kenya’s football fanatics violate strict CAF guidelines during the month-long competition being co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
According to the official report from the CAF Security Officer, FKF was found guilty of breaching Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and multiple safety regulations after chaotic scenes unfolded during the high-profile encounter that saw Kenya defeat DRC 1-0.
Confirming the fines, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye outlined the key failures that saw Kenya receive the fine and lauded the officials at the Interior for taking adequate measures to tame the menace after the chaos witnessed during the opening game.
“I want to seize this opportunity to thank our Principal Secretary for Interior for dropping by to understand what we are doing at the post-security level for this competition. He has been with us since we embarked on this journey. Now he has come to assure us that he will continue supporting us,” Musonye said as quoted by Pulse Sports.
“CAF fined Kenya last night. That is a lesson. Through bad manners, we may lose next encounters, the PS noted. Don’t bring vuvuzelas, drums, traditional instruments, or whistles to the stadium. They are prohibited items that come with fines. Let’s be well mannered and observe the rules.”
He added: “We’ve said fans can access the stadiums from 11 am here (Nyayo) and from 1 pm at Kasarani, even though the game starts at 7pm. This is to prevent congestion and allow people to come early, enjoy themselves, get tickets, buy a snack or water, and wait for the game.”
The CAF Security Officer’s report highlighted serious lapses, including a stampede at entry Gate 11, unauthorised access to restricted Public Security Areas (PSA) and a motorcycle dangerously weaving through the crowd.
Fans also ignited fires behind the stands at Block 18, while State Security personnel reportedly denied CAF staff and protocol officers—including a member of the South African President’s Close Protection Unit—access to the VVIP area.
As a result, CAF imposed three penalties on FKF —Sh 644,500 (USD 5,000) for the stampede and unauthorized entry, Sh 1,289,000 (USD 10,000) for the assault and obstruction of CAF officials and guests, and an official warning over the stadium fires. All fines must be settled within 60 days.
Elsewhere, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) was also fined USD 10,000 after their fans breached security protocols during their match against Burkina Faso at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.