The typical Kenyan football fan is used to entering a football stadium carrying all sorts of items, from liquid and solid food to noise paraphernalia like whistles and vuvuzelas.
But fans would best be warned that at the 2024 African Nations Championship that begins tomorrow in Dar es Salaam, many of the items they consider normal to bring to the stadium will not be permitted for the 19-nation, four-week biennial tournament.
So, as they plan to attend Kenya’s opening match on Sunday against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Moi International Sports Centre, fans should be aware that they cannot enter with the following items:
Food, including commercially packed food grub unless their is proof that it is for medical needs or for infants. Noise-making devices such as vuvuzelas, megaphones, whistles, loudspeakers and drums. All types of bottles including disposable ones, cups, cans, and any capped or sealed containers.
Kenyan fans celebrate after Harambee Stars scored a goal against Gabon during a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on March 23, 2023.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Fire arms/weapons. Real or replica guns, ammunition or firearm parts or anything that can shoot, harm or look like a weapon. Items that could be used as a weapon, cause damage and/or injury or be used as a projectile. Anything sharp, heavy or blunt. Tool s that could cut, stab, hit or injure. Signal blocking items including electronic, musical, telecom equipment that can jam signals or disrupt broadcast, IT or technology systems. Offensive banners including flags, posters or placards targeting politics, race, gender, religion, nationality or personal identity.
Kenyan fans celebrate after Harambee Stars scored a goal against Gabon during a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on March 23, 2023.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Any objects that can cause harm are outlawed like fireworks, flares or pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, gas canisters or combustible materials, toxic or pungent substances. Drugs include narcotics and stimulants. Only medically necessary substances will be allowed. Any kind of helmet including motorcycle, construction or sports. All animals except service dogs.
“We Congolese love music. We had planned to cheer our team in style, so we are disappointed by the ban on items like drums and vuvuzelas. We will have to locate a strategic place where we are well visible to cheer,” said William Saidi, the president of the Youth Diaspora Congolese in Kenya.
Kenya’s Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye said tight screening of fans will be done before they are permitted to enter the precincts of the stadium. He warned spectators to expect a thorough body search.
