The countdown to the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) is officially on, and Nairobi is ready to roll out the red carpet – and an ironclad security plan – for all participating teams and visitors. With just 18 days remaining until the continental football extravaganza kicks off, Kenya, co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 30, is pulling out all the stops to ensure a seamless and secure tournament.
Nairobi holds a pivotal role in this 19-team showpiece. The vibrant capital is set to host all of Kenya’s Group “A” matches, one crucial Group “C” encounter, and, most notably, the highly anticipated competition’s final on August 30. All of Kenya’s group games and the grand finale will electrify the 55,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, while the Group “C” clash between Algeria and Niger is scheduled for the 19,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium on August 18.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, alongside his Sports counterpart Salim Mvurya, personally conducted a comprehensive security assessment of all earmarked venues on Monday. The high-powered delegation included key members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by chairman Nicholas Musonye, and a significant presence of top police and military bosses, underscoring the gravity of the security preparations.
CS Murkomen left no doubt about the robustness of the security framework. He assured that vigilance will be paramount across all touchpoints of the tournament, encompassing airports, hotels, hospitals, stadiums, training venues, public streets, and even tourist sites. Specifically, to ensure round-the-clock safety at MISC Kasarani, all 102 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the facility will be continuously monitored, even when no matches are underway. Access to stadiums, he emphasized, will be strictly limited to fans holding valid tickets, ensuring controlled and safe environments.
"We have put adequate security measures at the airport to ensure visitors are properly screened, and that only the right people are entering the country,” Murkomen stated. He highlighted that with Kenya’s recent removal of visa requirements for many African nationalities, a significant influx of international visitors is anticipated, making robust airport security a top priority. Furthermore, the CS urged Kenyan fans to extend a warm welcome and exhibit exemplary behavior towards all visitors throughout the championship.
A notable shift in security protocol, in line with CAF guidelines, will see no uniformed police officers stationed inside the stadiums for crowd management. Instead, trained stewards will handle internal crowd control, with their specialized training set to commence this Tuesday. Murkomen clarified, “You will probably not see a police officer in uniform inside the stadium. You will see them outside the stadium. Those who will be inside will be performing certain responsibilities that are not necessarily related to crowd management.” This move aims to enhance the fan experience, addressing past criticisms regarding police crowd control methods.
Sports CS Salim Mvurya expressed full satisfaction with the preparations, declaring, “As a government, we are assured that we will be able to have good matches here in a very secure environment. We are satisfied with the preparations.” Tickets for the highly anticipated competition are set to go on sale this Wednesday, with regular tickets priced at Sh200, VIP at Sh500, and VVIP at Sh1000, promising accessible entry for all football enthusiasts eager to witness the thrilling domestic talent on display. Teams are expected to start arriving as early as July 22, with Kenya set to open their campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 3, before facing Angola, Morocco, and Zambia. Nairobi is poised to deliver a memorable and secure CHAN 2024.
