The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that only 27,000 fans will be allowed into Kasarani Stadium for the much-anticipated Zambia vs Kenya fixture on Sunday, August 17.

The move comes after a litany of security lapses during Kenya’s home match 1-0 win against Morocco on Sunday, August 10, which saw chaotic scenes both inside and outside the stadium.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, CAF detailed a range of alarming incidents that forced the decision. These included the overrunning of stadium gates and public security areas (PSAs) by ticketless spectators and holders of physical tickets reportedly distributed by the government, breaches of the perimeter fence, and loss of control at exit points.

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CAF further cited a crowd-control breakdown at Ngomongo roundabout, where uncontrolled access through multiple gates was reported. The situation escalated with the use of tear gas and flash grenades, as well as reports of live ammunition being fired in close proximity to fans and staff.

Violent incidents, including stone-throwing at security personnel, unsafe vehicle movements within spectator zones, and an inadequate police response despite repeated requests for intervention, were also recorded. Notably, CAF said there were no official medical reports despite reports of injuries, and highlighted the lack of sufficient communication tools and CCTV coverage at critical entry points. “Following repeated and serious security lapses during Kenya’s home matches at Kasarani Stadium, CAF has taken the decision to impose immediate measures for upcoming fixtures in Kasarani involving the Host Nation,” the statement read in part.

CAF expressed frustration that despite multiple warnings and previous sanctions, measures to control ticketless entries, improve crowd management, and meet CAF’s security requirements had not been implemented.

Alongside the capacity restriction, CAF will enforce a strict e-ticket-only policy, with thermal paper tickets banned. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the Kenyan government will also roll out a public awareness campaign to stress safety protocols and entry rules.

CAF has warned that failure to comply with these directives could lead to even harsher sanctions including shifting future home matches to alternative venues. “We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect the competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF concluded.

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