As preparations are in full gear for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, the government of Kenya has unveiled tight security plans to ensure the safety of spectators and a smooth tournament process.
On July 31 statement before Kenya’s debut match against DR Congo scheduled for Sunday, August 3, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo clarified that public security remains at the forefront of the agenda, especially with thousands set to drive up for the games
Among the plans is early ticket screening at least a kilometer from the stadium to manage crowd flow and weed out fake tickets.
“Please come early and follow instructions. This is for everyone’s safety,” he urged.Omollo warned against rowdy behaviour like climbing over fences or pushing through barriers, noting that such conduct won’t be tolerated.
“There’ll be trained stewards and enough security teams to handle any disruptions,” he said.Security within the stadiums will be augmented by anti-riot units, plain-clothes policemen, and counter-terrorism officers, all under a coordinated interagency plan.
There will be emergency tents, ambulances and standby medical teams available at the stadiums during the event.
“We’ve mapped each stadium to nearby hospitals for quick response in case of medical emergencies,” Omollo noted.Fans have also been advised not to carry restricted items, as thorough checks will be conducted at every entrance. Anyone caught with counterfeit tickets or causing chaos risks arrest.
A CHAN security hotline will be active throughout the event for fans needing help.
Kenya’s national team will be hoping for a strong start in what is expected to be a charged match-day atmosphere.
