Reduced Kasarani Stadium seating to 60% due to identified security issues
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued strict directives for Kenya's home matches at Kasarani Stadium, following a series of security lapses during recent matches.
These directives are aimed at ensuring the safety of spectators, staff, and the integrity of the tournament. CAF has noted repeated failures to control ticketless spectators, manage crowds effectively, and comply with its security regulations.
One of the key measures is a maximum stadium capacity of 60% (27,000 tickets). Entry to these matches will be limited to electronic ticket holders only; thermal tickets will not be accepted. This decision comes in response to concerns about the lack of communication tools and CCTV coverage at critical entry points, as well as incidents involving tear gas and flash grenades, stone-throwing at security personnel, and unsafe vehicle movements.
CAF has also directed the local organizing committee and the government to launch a public awareness campaign on safety protocols and entry requirements. The police's failure to respond to incidents during the matches was another concern noted by CAF.
Despite multiple warnings and previous sanctions, the necessary measures to address these issues have not been implemented. As a result, CAF has threatened that failure to implement these measures could lead to more serious sanctions, including relocating Kenya’s home matches to alternative venues.
However, after Kenya's Football Federation successfully appealed, CAF revised the stadium capacity upward to 80 percent (about 38,400 fans) for the Kenya vs. Madagascar game. This shows some flexibility in the directives contingent on improving security measures.
The details of these directives were outlined in a detailed statement issued by CAF. It is hoped that these measures will help ensure a safe and secure environment for all involved in the upcoming matches at Kasarani Stadium.
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Experimenting with Merz's Germany has stretched into an extended period of time, resembling a numerous three-month duration.
