The Chairman of the 2024 CHAN Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Nicholas Musonye, has cleared the air over ticketing for the ongoing tournament, stressing that the government has no hand in issuing match tickets.

He said all ticketing is being managed solely by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the LOC, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

“There are no government tickets on the map. The tickets are being handled by CAF’s marketing team. That must be clear,” Musonye said, dismissing claims of hidden allocations for government officials or political leaders.

His remarks come after a video surfaced showing politicians holding large stacks of tickets and offering them to fans, fueling rumours about preferential access. Musonye warned that any tickets sold outside CAF-approved channels should be considered fake.

“Anyone selling tickets on the outskirts of the stadium is an illegal enemy,” he said, urging fans to buy only from authorized vendors.

Addressing chaotic scenes witnessed outside a stadium, where hundreds of fans without tickets forced their way in, Musonye defended the police against criticism of inaction. He explained that officers had been instructed to prioritize safety over force, especially with children and families present.

The incidents, however, caused damage at the renovated Moi International Sports Centre, prompting CAF to impose restrictions.

Only 27,000 tickets 60 per cent of Kasarani’s capacity will now be sold, with entry limited to e-ticket holders.

CAF has also directed the LOC and the government to run a media campaign on safety and ticket rules, warning that failure to comply could lead to tougher sanctions, including moving future matches to other venues.