Fans overpower stewards to access Kasarani Stadium for Harambee CHAN opener

William Muthama 03rd August, 2025 03:37 PM

A little commotion erupted at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday afternoon, August 3, 2025, as eager fans forced their way into the stadium just minutes before kickoff in Kenya’s opening CHAN 2024 match against DR Congo.

Video footage widely circulated online showed supporters climbing barriers and pushing past overwhelmed police officers at several gates. Despite heavy security deployment and prior warnings from authorities, the stadium gates were overrun by the swelling crowd.

Government officials had previously announced strict entry rules, including a ticket-only policy and bans on items such as vuvuzelas, whistles, and oversized banners. Still, the buildup of fans outside the venue appeared to exceed expectations.

ans storm Kasarani before kickoff of CHAN match on August 3, 2025.PHOTO/ a screengrab by K24 Digital @Bravebrandsmd

Gates breached by crowds

The chaos unfolded along Thika Superhighway and at the main Kasarani entrance, where long queues and bottlenecks created confusion. Fans dressed in Kenyan jerseys and waving national flags stormed through checkpoints in a desperate bid to witness the much-anticipated clash.

Desperate fans storm Kasarani before kickoff of CHAN match on August 3, 2025.PHOTO/ a screengrab by K24 Digital @Bravebrandsmd
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Traffic in adjacent areas, particularly Roysambu and Garden City, was temporarily redirected as law enforcement attempted to restore calm and control.

Despite the little chaos, the game kicked off as planned.

CHAN officially begins

The CHAN 2024 tournament, which began on Friday, August 2, 2025, is being jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Today’s match marks Kenya’s debut in the competition, raising anticipation among local supporters.

Fans along Thika Road outside the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on August 3, 2025.PHOTO/ruthviona7
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Elsewhere, Tanzania kicked off the event with a 2-0 win against Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Later tonight, Nyayo Stadium will host the Morocco vs Angola match starting at 6:00 PM.

CHAN 2024 will run until 30 August, with matches spread across the three host nations. Despite the early disruption at Kasarani, excitement remains high for what many hope will be a historic campaign for Harambee Stars on home soil.

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William Muthama

William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]

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