BAHLITA Appeals for Ticket Sponsorship After Thousands of Fans Locked Out of CHAN Match at Kasarani

 By Jameson Mutua 

BAHLITA Secretary-General Mr. Boniface Gachoka addressing the media in Nairobi on Monday. 

The Bars, Hotels & Liquor Traders Association (BAHLITA) has made a passionate public appeal for ticket sponsorship to support thousands of disadvantaged football fans after more than 20,000 were left outside the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, during a recent CHAN tournament match.

In a press statement issued Monday, BAHLITA Secretary-General Boniface Gachoka expressed deep concern over the locked-out fans, highlighting that only 44,000 spectators attended the match in a stadium that holds 60,000.

“Despite the venue’s capacity, thousands of passionate Kenyans were unable to access the game due to lack of funds,” said Gachoka. “We are calling on Kenyan corporations, businesses, churches, bloggers, and civic-minded individuals to help sponsor tickets for fans—especially those in the ghettos, students, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities.”

The appeal comes under the banner of BAHLITA’s newly established Sports, Health and Wellness Department, launched during the association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting. The department’s broader mission includes promoting physical activity, supporting mental health, encouraging responsible alcohol use, and connecting members with rehabilitation services.

This year alone, BAHLITA members raised funds to secure 1,000 match tickets for traders, employees, and some members of the public. The association now aims to broaden that impact with the help of the wider community.

“We are committed to knocking on every door until every passionate fan is able to cheer from inside the stadium,” Gachoka pledged.

The next opportunities to support come during the following upcoming CHAN fixtures at Kasarani:

Angola vs Kenya – Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM

Kenya vs Morocco – Monday, August 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM

Kenya vs Zambia – Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 3:00 PM

To sponsor ticket purchases, supporters are encouraged to contact Mr. Boniface Gachoka, Secretary-General, BAHLITA on 0713 882 822 and email bonifacegachokakimani@gmail.com

“We believe that football is not just a game—it’s a unifying force. Every Kenyan deserves a seat in the stadium,” BAHLITA statement concluded.


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