Cheruiyot Warns Fans Against Gate-Crashing at Raila Odinga Stadium

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has urged Kenyan football fans to abandon the practice of forcing their way into stadiums without valid tickets. His warning followed President William Ruto’s announcement that Bayern Munich and Ajax will play at the new Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi on January 5, 2027.

In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, October 28, Cheruiyot said entry to the new facility should depend on valid tickets rather than personal connections or social status. He argued that the stadium should introduce a new approach to match attendance. “New stadium, new habits,” he stated, calling on fans to stop seeking special treatment to gain entry.

His remarks come after crowd-control problems during the 2025 African Nations Championship at Kasarani Stadium. On August 3, supporters reportedly overwhelmed security personnel while attempting to enter the venue for Kenya’s match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Similar incidents occurred on August 10 during the Harambee Stars’ match against Morocco, raising concerns about overcrowding and spectator safety.

The incidents also exposed weaknesses in ticket verification and stadium security. According to the report, the Confederation of African Football fined Football Kenya Federation approximately KSh6.5 million over security breaches during the tournament. Some fans also complained about ticketing difficulties and unauthorised entry, highlighting the need for reliable verification systems and consistent enforcement of stadium rules.

The upcoming Bayern Munich versus Ajax fixture will officially open the 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on November 5 through the official Talanta Sports City website. The match will also provide an opportunity to assess preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. Cheruiyot’s message places responsibility on fans to follow entry rules, while organisers will need effective security and ticketing systems to manage the expected crowd.

Aaron Cheruiyot warns against gate-crashing at Raila Odinga International Stadium

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