By Kariuki Mwangi

The first ever CAF Safe Stadium Initiative workshop for safety and security officers to be held in Kenya opened today, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 in Nairobi and will culminate on Thursday October 10. The workshop is part of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) ongoing Safe Stadium Initiative.

The three-day workshop marks a pivotal moment in the country’s football development as it seeks to ensure that security measures in stadiums meet international standards. With growing local and international interest in Kenyan football, the need for well-trained stewards to ensure the safety of players, fans, and officials has become more pressing.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Deputy President Doris Petra, said that FKF is passionate to ensuring that matches have safety and the federation is excited to work with CAF in running the workshop.

“FKF supports this course and is passionate in ensuring that there is safety in our stadiums. It is possible to have safety in our stadium and I am convinced that we shall achieve it,” Petra said.

“Our clubs cannot make money if the stadiums lack the requisite security where people cannot go to the stadiums and watch their favorite teams with their families. I am happy that Sports Kenya is represented here so that they can learn what is required of them even when building stadiums and when planning for matches,” Petra added.

The training is been led by two highly experienced CAF instructors: Xolile Nokuthula Vilakati, who works in CAF’s Safety and Security department, and Dickson Okello, a seasoned CAF Safety and Security instructor.

Their extensive expertise will guide 40 participants made up of stewards from the FKF Premier League (FKF PL), officials from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), private security personnel, and officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit. This diverse group will undergo intensive training on best practices for maintaining security during football matches and related events.

The introduction of the Safe Stadium Initiative in Kenya makes the country the 10th African nation to receive this training, following 9 other countries that have already benefited from the program. According to CAF, the aim is to ensure that all personnel responsible for securing football events are equipped with the necessary skills to manage crowd control, emergency situations, and other high-pressure environments often encountered during major matches.

This workshop, the first of its kind in Kenya, marks the beginning of a larger, more comprehensive effort to enhance security at football matches across the country. This initial course sets the foundation for a nationwide rollout of training sessions aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of stewards in all major football leagues. Following the completion of this pilot workshop, subsequent training sessions will be held in various regions to ensure that stewards from the FKF Premier League (FKF PL), National Super League (NSL), Women’s Premier League (WPL), Women’s National Super League (WNSL), Division One, and Women’s Division One (WDIV) are fully equipped to manage security at football events.

The initiative is spearheaded by the FKF National Safety and Security Officer (NSSO), Stephen Otieno, who will lead the nationwide rollout. This systematic approach ensures that stewards across the country receive the same high standard of training, enabling them to manage security effectively, regardless of the league or location. By focusing on uniformity in training, the FKF aims to create a consistent security framework that applies to all levels of competition.

The training’s curriculum is designed to cover a range of topics crucial for ensuring safety during football events. Participants will learn about challenges of security in Africa, CAF safety and security regulations, responsibilities of the CSSO and collaboration with safety and security stakeholders, stewarding and accreditation and access control.

By the end of the workshop, attendees are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of security protocols, enabling them to provide effective protection for football events in Kenya.

This inaugural training session is a critical step toward professionalizing match-day security in Kenya. As the country’s football scene continues to develop, creating a safe environment for fans, players, and officials has become essential. The Safe Stadium Initiative promises to transform the security landscape of Kenyan football, ensuring that those tasked with maintaining safety have the necessary knowledge and skills. In doing so, the program sets the stage for a future where Kenyan football events are not only exciting but also secure for all who attend.