African Nations Championship (CHAN) local organising committee chairperson Nicholas Musonye has shed light on why nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura were redirected from the presidential entrance at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Speaking on Nation FM, Musonye explained that access to the presidential box is very limited and hence some restrictions are in place.
According to him, the arrangement is such that the presidential box can only take 60 people, while the VIP can take an estimated 200. He further explained that the protocol requires that the senior government officials sign their presence in advance so that the organizers can distribute the tickets accordingly.
“There is the presidential tribune, which is limited, both at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums. We have configured the two venues. Where it used to be VVIP, was about 100; now the capacity is 60. The other VIP there is not even 200,” he said.
Musonye added, “So, even the top government officials who want to come, we ask them to confirm attendance on time so we can allocate those tickets. When they don’t communicate that they are going to attend, that is when you find a lot of problems, even for top government officials to enter these limited areas. A top civil servant might arrive without prior notice, making it difficult for organisers to manage already allocated spaces.”
Musonye further clarified that the presidential podium was meant to be shared by the President, his staff, invited guests, and Football Kenya Federation top officials, with little space for anyone else.
He confirmed that UDA-nominated senator Karen Nyamu and government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura were not turned away, but rather redirected from the presidential entrance and escorted to another point of entry.
Security personnel directed both officials to use the alternative routes in order to reach the VIP section of the stadium to catch the match between Harambee Stars and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
