Kenyan football fans have been warned to be on high alert for fake tickets ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifier between the Harambee Stars and Gambia.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Thursday, September 3, said scammers had created fraudulent websites masquerading as official vendors, some complete with till numbers to lure unsuspecting buyers.

“Tickets for Harambee Stars’ matches can only be bought through the official Tikiti platform. Fans are not required to enter a paybill number manually,” the FKF said in a statement.

The warning comes as excitement builds for Kenya’s return to competitive action. The team opens its campaign against Gambia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on September 5, before facing Seychelles at the same venue four days later.

Kenya’s recent hosting of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) reignited public passion for football, with near-capacity crowds turning out in Nairobi and across the region. Officials now fear that this surge in enthusiasm has created fertile ground for fraudsters.

Besides the Tikiti platform, tickets are also available via USSD code 51955#. By Wednesday afternoon, regular tickets priced at KSh300 had sold out. Fans were left with silver (KSh500), gold (KSh1,000), and VIP (KSh2,000) options.

Nyayo Stadium will also host a Group F clash between The Gambia and Burundi, scheduled for 10 p.m. under floodlights. Harambee Stars, coached by Benni McCarthy, will later travel for away fixtures against Burundi on October 6 and Ivory Coast a week later.

FKF urged supporters to remain vigilant. “We encourage all fans to buy only from authorised channels. Do not fall victim to scams,” the federation said.