CHAN 2024: Musonye slams stadium breach, urges fan discipline in Harambee Stars matches

Kenya’s CHAN Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman, Nicholas Musonye, has called on fans to strictly adhere to the list of prohibited items after a breach was witnessed during the Kenya vs DR Congo match on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

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Ahead of the tournament, the LOC had issued a comprehensive list of banned items, including drums, vuvuzelas, whistles, and weapons, to ensure what it described as "the best and safest environment for all" attending matches.

However, during Kenya’s 1-0 win over DR Congo, some of the items were spotted at the stadium.

Musonye, while condemning the breach, explained the reasoning behind the restrictions, chiefly sound pollution, which can interfere with officiating and gameplay.

"There are prohibited items that you are not allowed to bring into the stadium. Things like Isukuti, Indumba, whistles, and vuvuzelas are not allowed. When fans whistle and the referee is also using a whistle, it confuses the players. Vuvuzelas are also not allowed because when people blow them loudly, ‘wooo wooo’ players can not hear the referee’s whistle,” he said in an interview with Nation FM.

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He revealed that the breach prompted an official from CAF to summon him and stressed the importance of compliance to avoid sanctions against the country.

"Yesterday, I saw some of these items in the stadium, and someone from CAF summoned me about it. I want to strongly emphasize to our people, we do not want Kenya to be fined by CAF,” he added.

Musonye also clarified that the restrictions are not unique to Kenya but are longstanding CAF policies.

He urged Kenyans to be more informed and attentive to such regulations.

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“This is not something new; these rules have always been there. The problem is that we often do not take the time to read and learn. I urge Kenyans to read, understand, and listen when we say that certain items are not allowed in the stadium. We will continue to repeat this message as many times as necessary,” he added.

Kenya will return to action on Thursday evening when they face Angola at the Moi Kasarani Stadium.

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