Football Fans in Nairobi watch the Zambia vs Morocco match near National Archives along Moi Avenue on August 14, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Hundreds of football fans in Nairobi have found a new way to experience the CHAN 2024 thrill right in the heart of the city.
On Thursday evening, crowds gathered outside the iconic Kenya National Archives on Moi Avenue to watch the Zambia vs Morocco clash on a massive outdoor screen, the first in a series of government-designated Fan Zones across the capital.
The initiative comes as a relief to many supporters who missed out on match tickets for Sunday’s much-anticipated showdown between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Zambia at Kasarani Stadium. All tickets were sold out on the official platform days in advance.
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Fans without valid tickets have been warned to stay away from Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as Kenya faces Zambia in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Sunday.
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairperson Nicholas Musonye said some fans forced their way into the stadium during the Kenya- Morocco match last Sunday, breaching Confederation of African Football (CAF) safety rules.
Security agencies have been instructed to bar anyone without a ticket from approaching the gates.
“CAF and LOC regulations are very clear; if you don’t have a valid ticket, don’t go near the stadium,” said Musonye.
To ensure no one misses out, the government has set up five official “Harambee Stars Villages” complete with big screens, booming sound, live DJs, and heightened security at Baba Dogo Grounds, Clay Works Grounds, and Jacaranda Grounds in Kayole, among other venues.
Earlier, FKF was penalized Sh2.5 million for breaches during a CHAN fixture against DR Congo, bringing total fines to Sh9 million, payable within 60 days.
In its ruling, CAF stated: “Continued failure to meet CAF safety and security requirements may lead to the relocation of Kenya’s National Team matches to an alternative venue. Kenya is advised to increase security measures by deploying sufficient personnel within the perimeter of the stadium as well as adhering to road closures on match days.”
FKF President Hussein Mohamed called the sanctions a serious setback.
“We are deeply concerned about the fines we are receiving after every match, and this will set us back. It is saddening that we are forced to go back to the drawing board to find resources we hadn’t planned for,” said Mohamed.
“The national team is doing well. Let’s not deny them victory because of trouble in the stands. After CHAN, there are AFCON qualifiers, the Premier League, and more. We need to realign ourselves, adjust, and embrace discipline.”
Kenyans’ love for football was evident in the sea of jerseys, vuvuzelas, and beaming smiles at the CBD screening. Passersby stopped to catch glimpses of the action, some staying for the entire game. “You don’t need to be told Kenyans love football,” one fan exclaimed.
The move to establish Fan Zones follows recent warnings from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over security breaches during earlier matches, notably the August 10 clash against Morocco. Authorities say the new setup offers a safer, more organized way for fans to come together in large numbers