The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is appealing to Kenyans to show responsible support for the Harambee Stars in the remaining African Nations Championship (CHAN) fixtures, following a hefty fine from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This call comes after CAF imposed a fine of USD 50,000 (approximately Sh6.45 million) on Kenya for safety and security lapses during the Harambee Stars’ recent match against Morocco at Kasarani Stadium.
The governing body cited breaches of multiple safety regulations, warning that further violations could lead to severe consequences, including barring Kenya from hosting national team matches at home.
In a statement, FKF expressed concern over the financial and reputational cost of crowd trouble, urging fans to only attend Sunday’s match against Zambia if they have genuine tickets.
“Let’s support @Harambee__Stars responsibly on Sunday against Zambia & in all upcoming games. Crowd trouble is costing us dearly, and we are facing heavy sanctions. Only show up at Kasarani if you have a genuine ticket. Tusiharibu game tumestruggle sana kuijenga,” FKF stated.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board outlined that Kenya’s failures in meeting security requirements such as inadequate deployment of security personnel and ineffective crowd control measures were the basis for the fine. The board has instructed FKF to take urgent corrective actions, including ensuring adequate security presence inside and outside stadiums, and implementing strict road closures on match days to regulate access and movement.
CAF also issued a stern warning: persistent breaches could result in the relocation of Harambee Stars’ home fixtures to neutral venues, depriving Kenyan fans of the chance to watch their team live on home soil.
The fallout from the Morocco match did not stop with Kenya. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was also penalized for inappropriate conduct by its players during the same game.
CAF fined Morocco USD 5,000 (Sh650,000), half of which is suspended on the condition that no similar incidents occur for the remainder of CHAN 2024.
Both federations have been given 60 days to settle the fines.
As the Harambee Stars prepare to face Zambia this weekend, FKF’s message is clear: the passion of Kenyan fans should be matched with discipline and respect for the game. Responsible support, they stress, is the only way to protect the country’s football reputation and ensure that the home advantage remains firmly in Kenyan hands.
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