The African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off on August 2 with Kenya expected to host its first match between Harambee Stars and DR Congo on Sunday, August 3.
Among the preparations taking place in readiness for the tournament are strict security measures to ensure the safety of players, officials and fans.
Kenyan authorities, in coordination with CHAN’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), have rolled out comprehensive security programmes around Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, which will host the games, airports, hotels, and transport corridors.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, alongside Sports CS Salim Mvurya and LOC carried out inspections of key venues, assuring fans, teams, and international visitors of a safe, well-organized, and welcoming tournament.
“We want to assure Africa and the rest of the world that Kenya is fully prepared to host CHAN 2024 (2025) in a secure and welcoming environment. From our airports to our stadiums, comprehensive security protocols are in place to ensure the smooth running of the tournament,” Murkomen said.
Security Measures
At stadium level, both Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani (60,000 capacity) and Nyayo National Stadium (18,000 capacity) have undergone vital upgrades. These include:
-New perimeter walls, turnstile-controlled access gates, and digital ticket scanners to prevent overcrowding.
-Installation of CCTV surveillance systems, with over 100 cameras at Kasarani being monitored live throughout the tournament.
-Deployment of dedicated crowd‑control stewards, trained per CAF safety protocols, to manage fan movement inside and outside arenas.
During match days, there will be two levels of checks. First, there will be a light check at the entrance, followed by a more detailed and thorough screening.
Fans will then be guided by the trained stewards to their correct seating zones based on the tickets purchased.
Another measure meant to improve crowd control and ease of access to the stadiums is digital ticketing. No physical tickets will be sold.
There will be a fast ticket authenticity scanner, ensuring no queuing, no chance of a stampede and no chance of being scammed.
According to the Interior CS, visitors’ safety “is guaranteed not just in stadia, but also in their accommodation facilities and as they tour different parts of the country.”
Recently, the government announced that it would implement a visa-free entry for all African nationals during CHAN.
Further to this, a security hotline has been established, which will be on standby 24/7, where any suspicious activities can be reported.
Head of CAF Safety & Security, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, , praised Kenyan security personnel for completing specialised training that focused on football-event safety standards, ticket verification, and mass movement control.
The security rollout follows CAF delegation inspection in June and July, including CAF secretary-general Veron Mosengo‑Omba, who publicly stated that Kenya is “very ready” to co-host CHAN.
He urged Kenyans to embrace the “Pamoja” spirit—unity among host nations—and gave clear backing to Kenya’s systems.
According to the government, preparations for CHAN not only keep fans safe but also strengthen its international credibility, serving as a dry run for AFCON 2027, which the country will also co-host along with Uganda and Tanzania.
CAF requires rigorous standards for stadium security and crowd control protocols long before granting hosting rights.
By Newshub