This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) requested permission from CAF to host international matches at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. The request was granted, but with a condition: the matches would have to be played behind closed doors.
According to a letter from CAF's Deputy General Secretary Football and Development, Anthony Baffoe, the decision was made due to concerns over the safety and security of fans and players at the stadium. The letter, dated August 24, 2019, stated that the stadium's perimeter fence was fragile and posed a risk to those attending the matches.
The ban on fans has plunged the football industry in Kenya into a crisis, as it denies the Football Kenya Federation and the Kenya Premier League club's management the revenue they would have earned from gate collections. The Machakos County government also stands to lose revenue, and local football fans are deprived of the opportunity to watch their favorite teams compete against top continental teams.
The players themselves will miss out on the crucial moral support from the fans, which is a significant aspect of their performance.
The decision by CAF highlights the lack of quality stadiums in Kenya, a factor that analysts believe is affecting the standards of football in the country. The City Stadium in Nairobi has been closed for four years, and the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi has been closed for two and a half years due to renovations. The Mombasa County stadium is also in a dire state, forcing top-flight side Bandari to travel 500km to host international matches at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
