Celebrities throng Kasarani to add glitz to Harambee Stars match
By Nancy Marende, August 17, 2025Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, is among the thousands of fans thronging at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, to cheer on the CHAN 2024 clash between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Zambia’s Chipolopolo.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Jalang’o blended right in with the crowd, chanting and rallying fans with his trademark humour.
“Zambia must fall! Arsenal must fall harder!” the former media personality stated.
The stadium atmosphere was electric, as celebrities turned up in numbers to support the national team. Comedian Eddie Butita, digital stars Ruth K and Shorn Arwa, and singer Charisma were spotted in the stands, adding glitz and glamour to the football action.
This comes after a strong police deployment was visible along Thika Superhighway near the stadium.
Rows of uniformed officers and a convoy of police lorries patrolled the busy highway, creating a visible and commanding presence far larger than seen during previous matches.
The sight of officers stationed at key intersections and armoured vehicles rumbling past gave fans and commuters alike a sense of order even before the match began, arriving early, with authorities aiming to prevent a repeat of incidents witnessed during Kenya’s earlier matches against Morocco and DR Congo.
Sections of Thika Road near Ruiru and Muthaiga were blocked, while vehicles were barred from using the Roysambu roundabout, forcing motorists to follow alternative routes.
The heightened security followed sanctions imposed on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after fans forced their way into Kasarani during the Morocco fixture.
CAF
CAF had fined Kenya Ksh6.4 million for breaching multiple security protocols, including allowing supporters without tickets to overrun barricades and exceed the stadium’s safe capacity.
Kasarani Stadium’s capacity has been reduced to 27,000 seats, 60 per cent of its usual limit, in compliance with CAF regulations following sanctions on the Football Kenya Federation for previous security breaches.