FKF welcomes probe against ticket hoarding, keen on moving Stars games to Kasarani

FKF president Hussein Mohammed says they are exploring the possibility of moving future Harambee Stars games from the Nyayo Stadium to Kasarani Stadium.

Speaking during a press conference to address security and hospitality concerns emanating from Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Gabon, he stressed the need to move the games to the 60,000 capacity venue drawing inspiration from the large turnout experienced on Sunday.

The Kasarani Stadium is currently closed for renovation and it remains unclear the exact date it will be ready for use Momamed also said the Federation is investigating claims of ticket hoarding that surfaced on social media urging those with information regarding the vice to come out and aid in the investigations.

"Maybe the conversation we should have is Nyayo, the facility, that can host another  Harambee Stars game, we feel that we need to move to Kasarani , these are some of the conversations we need to have amongst ourselves now that the enthusiasm of Kenyans is back, which other venue would work best for us?"

The Sunday game saw a mammoth turn out at Nyayo with Kenyans thronging the venue to watch their beloved Stars play on home turf for the first time in three years.

 While it was not the desired result, the contest ended in a 2-1 defeat, it showcased a glimpse of football fanaticism.

"We need to substantiate those allegations [ticket hoarding]. It is important to not go with what is on social media but we also need to investigate those allegations, we don't have that kind of evidence where we sit but we are looking forward to anyone with evidence to come forward and bring whoever is responsible to book. "

At the same time he revealed that only 17, 192 tickets were sold, against the available 18,000; with 15,968 regular tickets, 1331 VIPs and 107 VVIPs. This was contrary to the social media buzz which claimed a total sellout of the tickets, even raising concerns of a potential reprimanding from the Confederation of African Football that rules against a total selling of match seats.

He alluded that any extra ticket sold was an overflow issue especially what had happened on gate number 8 and number 2 on that day.  He said that a total of Ksh. 6, 998,496 was realised from the ticket sales.