A dramatic incident unfolded at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday when angry fans cornered and beat a young man accused of selling fake tickets to unsuspecting supporters.
The self-proclaimed “patriotic” citizen is said to have been living a “soft life” by making easy money from other people’s hard-earned cash — but his day ended painfully after the crowd decided to teach him a lesson.
The chaos erupted during the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament, where hundreds of Kenyan football lovers were left stranded outside the stadium despite holding what appeared to be genuine tickets.
Many had turned up hours earlier, eager to watch Kenya face off against Morocco in one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.
Excitement quickly turned into anger when ticket scanners flagged numerous entries as “already used.” Fans later learned they had been victims of a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters bought tickets in bulk and resold the same codes to multiple people.
“Some people are selling us fake tickets,” complained Anthony Ochieng’, one of the disappointed supporters. Another fan, John Ngui, shared his frustration, saying, “There are people who buy many tickets but don’t even attend the game — they just resell them.”
The victims revealed they had paid between Ksh.300 and Ksh.1,000 for the bogus passes, hoping to secure a seat and watch the crucial clash live. Most of the scams reportedly took place right outside the venue, where rogue vendors were operating with little interference.
As tempers flared, a few desperate supporters attempted to jump over the stadium’s perimeter fence to force their way in.
This created tense moments, with several fans managing to breach the venue from one side. The sudden rush sparked fears of a stampede, despite a visible police presence.
This security lapse has raised concerns, especially since it happened just days after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Ksh.2.5 million for poor crowd control during an earlier match.
CAF had warned of even harsher penalties if similar incidents occurred again during the tournament, which Kenya is co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
However, the mood inside the stadium eventually improved when the Harambee Stars’ team bus arrived. The players were welcomed with loud cheers, singing, and flag-waving from loyal fans who had managed to get in.
Their patience and support were rewarded with a spirited performance as Kenya claimed a vital three points against Morocco.
With one more group-stage match to go — a high-stakes meeting with Zambia next Sunday — anticipation is already building among supporters.
Many are now urging the authorities to tighten online ticketing systems, regulate vendors, and crack down on fraudsters to ensure that no fan is denied the chance to watch the national team in action.
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) August 11, 2025
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