As the CHAN 2024 tournament continues across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, fans attending matches in Kenya have been advised to strictly follow security guidelines issued by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Safety & Security Department.
The department has released a list of prohibited items, suggesting that entry points will have rigorous checks to enforce these rules.
Among the banned items are illegal drugs, including narcotics, stimulants, and any drugs not medically necessary.
Signal-blocking devices such as electronic, musical, or telecom equipment that can jam signals or disrupt broadcast or technology systems are not allowed.
Noise-making devices, including vuvuzelas, megaphones, whistles, loudspeakers, and drums, are also prohibited.
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In addition, fans are not allowed to bring outside food or takeaway into the stadium; only food bought inside the venue or brought in for medical or infant needs is permitted.
Offensive or political banners are banned, including flags or signs targeting politics, race, gender, religion, nationality, or personal identity.
Further, all types of bottles, cans, and hosed containers are prohibited. This includes disposable bottles, cups, cans, and any capped or sealed containers.
Large items such as ladders, benches, steps, folding chairs, cooler boxes, boxes, suitcases, and large bags or backpacks are not allowed.
Powdery substances like flour, powders, or similar fine materials that can spread or cause irritation are also on the list.
According to the LOC Safety & Security Department, all animals, except assistance dogs, are also not permitted.
Fire or hazardous materials, including fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, gas canisters, combustible materials, and toxic or pungent substances, are banned.
Similarly, hazardous substances like powders, pastes, chemicals, toxic, corrosive or radioactive materials, and irritant gas canisters are also prohibited.
Paints and flammable substances such as spray paint cans, liquid paints, corrosive or flammable materials, and containers with health-risk substances are not allowed.
Other banned items include breakable or pressurized containers, including aerosol cans, gas canisters, and any glass or metal containers.
Firearms and weapons, including real or replica guns, ammunition, firearm parts, and anything that can shoot, harm, or resemble a weapon, are strictly forbidden.
Explosives such as detonators, ignition devices, and any item that hides or contains explosive parts are also not allowed.
Also, objects that can be used to harm, including anything sharp, heavy, or blunt, or tools that could cut, stab, hit, or injure, are banned.
Helmets of any kind, including motorcycle, construction, or sports helmets, are also not permitted inside the stadiums.
A government official who spoke to Nairobileo.co.ke reminded the public that CHAN 2024 is not just about football but also a test of Kenya’s readiness to host major international events.
"Hosting CHAN 2024 is a monumental feat for us as a nation. This is a CAF-sanctioned tournament, and with it comes a set of strict conditions around fan behaviour, security, and crowd management. Any breach - whether inside the stadium, at entry points, or around the venue - carries consequences, including sanctions from CAF.
"It is our collective responsibility to remember that what happens on and off the pitch reflects on all of us. When fans jump barriers, shove others, cause chaos, or damage property, it puts Kenya in a bad light and undermines the trust CAF has placed in us," the official said.
The official stressed that fan behavior, both inside and outside stadiums, is being closely monitored by CAF, and any misconduct could affect Kenya’s chances of hosting AFCON 2027.
"CHAN 2024 is a chance to prove that we can host big international events. CAF is watching everything - not just how the game is played, but how we conduct ourselves as fans, too. We have put in the work to upgrade our stadiums and show that we are ready for AFCON 2027. But even one incident of bad fan behaviour can ruin that progress. It signals to CAF that we may not be fully ready," the official added.
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