Editor's Review

Sonko asked the fans attending the match between Kenya and DRC to keep off politics and show patriotism.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has extended a kind gesture to football fans who are desperate to attend the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) football championship opening match at Kasarani Stadium.

Kenya's Harambee Stars is taking on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the second day of the football challenge, which kicked off on Saturday, August 2, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Fans started thronging the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday morning, August 3, with all gates open to welcome the football lovers.

Sonko said he would sponsor at least 5,000 who can't access the venue due to money challenges.

"Already at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. Kujeni kwa wengi tushangilie team yetu. Wale watakosa tickets. I'm making arrangements with the Chan officials, as they plan to add more tickets due to public demand. I'm offering to purchase 5000 more tickets to give to fans who can't afford the entry fee," Sonko said.

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Kasarani Stadium ahead of the Kenya vs DRC match on Sunday, August 3.

At the same time, the politician asked those attending the match to display patriotism and keep political chants out of the stadium.

Sonko's offer came in the face of complaints by a section of fans who decried being locked out of the match because tickets were sold out long before the match.

By August 28, five days away from the match day, no tickets were available on the authorised platform.

Some claimed the tickets were binge-bought deliberately by a cartel who wanted to resell them at higher prices, capitalising on the demand that would arise.

Kenya is co-hosting the 2024 CHAN alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

The championship kicked off in Tanzania with the home team routing Burkina Faso with 2-0.

President William Ruto has dangled cash prizes for the home team.

He pledged Ksh 1 million for each player in every win and Ksh 500,000 for a draw.

The president promised the team a total of Ksh 600 million should it win the title.

Sonko pledged Ksh 400 million to top up the president's offer; the team will take home Ksh 1 billion should it win the title.