CHAN 2024: Why Kenya could lose quarterfinal hosting rights

Kenya risks losing the right to host one of the African Nations Championship (Chan) quarter-finals if fan trouble persists.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Chan 2024 Local Organising Committee (LOC) are under scrutiny after both denied selling physical tickets ahead of scheduled matches.

Crowd trouble has been rife at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with fans repeatedly flouting restrictions set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before the tournament.

Matches against DR Congo, Angola, and Morocco have been marred by security breaches, leaving the federation reeling from fines imposed over several questionable incidents reported by CAF security officials.

READ: CHAN 2024: Football fans association calls for ticketing transparency

FKF President Hussein Mohammed and LOC chairperson Nicholas Musonye on Tuesday struggled to explain the ticketing and security lapses, insisting the only physical tickets available during the three Harambee Stars matches were complimentary.

"There are no government tickets. The only physical tickets are complimentary," said Musonye, stressing that the Kenyan chapter of Chan was being run solely by CAF, the LOC, and FKF.

The controversy comes after The Standard exposed what it described as a well-coordinated scheme in which political figures and some government departments allegedly bulk-bought tickets-partly to exclude fans suspected of planning anti-government protests.

These tickets were reportedly distributed to political supporters, security personnel, and select groups.

One South C politician posted a batch of tickets online, claiming to have bought them for Harambee Stars supporters.

Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo, alias Matakwei, was photographed outside City Hall distributing free tickets. He also posted a video displaying several tickets.

The Standard has seen a circular from Prison Headquarters, citing instructions from the State Department for Internal Security, directing officers to submit names of those interested in attending Chan events.

Videos, social media posts, and leaked memos have shown local leaders boasting about obtaining hundreds of tickets for their "followers".

Although organisers had introduced an official digital ticketing system (Mookh Africa) to curb irregularities, the system reportedly lacked purchase limits, enabling large-scale hoarding by local leaders.

ALSO READ: CHAN 2024: CAF fines FKF over security lapses at Kenya vs DR Congo match

Musonye and Mohammed said complimentary tickets were reserved for specific government officials and other leaders.

However, they declined to answer questions about the origin of the physical tickets distributed for free, some of which ended up being sold on online platforms or at stadium gates.

In a report circulating online, CAF noted major security lapses, including: Stadium gates being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-issued physical tickets.

Breaches of the perimeter fence. Loss of control at exit points.
CAF also cited uncontrolled gate access, the use of tear gas and flash grenades, live ammunition near spectators, violent incidents including stone-throwing at security personnel, and unsafe vehicle movement.

The African football governing body further flagged an inadequate police response, poor communication systems at the stadium, and lack of CCTV coverage.

CAF also questioned why no medical incidents were recorded despite injuries at entry points.

By yesterday, CAF had suspended ticket sales for Sunday's Harambee Stars vs Zambia match at Kasarani.

In defence of the LOC and FKF, Musonye said ticketing was handled by an online vendor on behalf of CAF but did not clarify how many tickets could be bought per person.

Kenya has already been fined for incidents during matches against DR Congo, Angola, and Morocco.

Failure to comply with CAF's recommendations could see Kenya stripped of its hosting rights, with the remaining Harambee Stars fixtures moved to Tanzania or Uganda.