Kenya is set to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) alongside Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 3, with final preparations now underway.
Tanzania will host the tournament’s opening match on Saturday, August 2, while Kenya will take to the pitch a day later in their opener against DR Congo at the Kasarani Stadium.
The road to hosting CHAN 2024 has not been without challenges. At one point, concerns over inadequate infrastructure nearly cost East Africa the hosting rights. However, CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba has since assured that all is in place for the regional showpiece.
As the tournament nears, organisers have released a list of banned items and behaviours to ensure safety and order during match days.
Among the top items banned are noisemaking instruments like vuvuzelas, whistles, megaphones, and drums—all of which are popular at local football matches. While many fans consider these essential for creating atmosphere, organisers say the ban aligns with international standards.
Vuvuzelas were famously banned by FIFA following the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. UEFA also prohibits them, citing that such instruments drown out genuine crowd emotion and detract from the football experience.
Fans will not be allowed to bring in banners bearing political, racial, religious, or gender-based messages. This comes amid recent anti-government protests in Kenya, including the widely chanted slogans like “Ruto Must Go” and “Wantam”, which have occasionally surfaced at sports events.
Commercially packaged food from outside the stadium will also be barred unless for infants or medical purposes. As expected, narcotic drugs are strictly prohibited.
Weapons and Hazardous Items
Other banned items include:
- Firearms
- Knives or sharp objects
- Explosives and fireworks
- Gas and aerosol canisters
- Hazardous materials
These restrictions are designed to ensure fans enjoy a safe tournament environment.
Security and Crowd Management
Kenya’s Interior Ministry has pledged a high-level security operation throughout the tournament. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged fans to remain disciplined, warning that those without tickets should not attempt to access stadiums. Instead, the government recommends tuning in to KBC Channel One, the official broadcaster, to catch the games from home.
With heightened security, clear guidelines, and three nations rallying behind the tournament, East Africa is set to make history as CHAN 2024 kicks off this weekend.
