Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed the country’s preparedness to host the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to commence on February 1, 2025, to February 28, 2025.
Appearing before the National Assembly on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Murkomen disclosed that Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials who visited the country rejected two stadiums which were initially proposed to host the continental showpiece.
Murkomen told the MPs that after successful bidding for the CHAN tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the country proposed Masinde Muliro Stadium, Bukhungu Stadium, and Nyayo National Stadium.
However, upon CAF officials’ inspection tour, both Masinde Muliro Stadium and Bukhungu Stadium were rejected, Murkomen disclosed.
CAF officials told the country that only Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani would be eligible to host the much-awaited football tournament.
“Initially, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, after bidding for CHAN, the Ministry identified the following stadiums to host CHAN: Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium, Bukhungu Stadium, and Nyayo National Stadium.
However, when CAF inspectors visited the country, they recommended that only Moi International Sports Center Kasarani and Nyayo International Stadium shall be eligible to host this very important tournament,” Murkomen said during a session with MPs.
Rehabilitation works
Following the rejection of the two stadiums, Murkomen announced a raft of measures put in place to ensure the country is not stripped off its hosting rights.
The CS detailed that Nyayo will be fitted with VVIP seats, flood lights, an audio-visual system, CCTV, and a parameter wall.
“Nyayo is an 18,000-seater stadium; initially, we were told to change the football pitch, but we had a good agreement that the grass, which is there, is sufficient for us for CHAN preparations so that we don’t delay the works.
“Therefore some works will go to roofing, installation of VVIP seats, upgrading of flood lighting, installation of audio-visual systems, sound, CCTV, upgrading of changing rooms, doping control, and medical rooms, which is also done,” Murkomen explained.
The media centre and other key facilities will also be included in the rehabilitation plan ahead of the CHAN competition.
During the tournament, Police Sacco and Ulinzi Sports Complex will be used as training facilities, Murkomen further clarified.
AFCON 2027
Regarding Kasarani, the CS told the lawmakers that the ongoing revamping works will be completed by December 2024 to make it ready to host both CHAN and the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Still, on AFCON preparation, the CS noted that the construction works at Talanta Hela Stadium are currently at 22 per cent.
Recently, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe visited the country and expressed confidence that Kenya would meet the deadline for the AFCON 2027 hosting preparations.
