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Outgoing Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed why he delayed constituting the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the CHAN and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The CS formed the committee late as Kenya faced the danger of losing the rights to host the continental finals and now Murkomen has revealed why that took so long.

To him, the Football Kenya Federation elections informed his decision but he had to do it even before the polls because there was no more time to wait.

“The LOC is extremely important because we need to move with speed to ensure that we are up and running. When we met with CAF representatives a few weeks ago, it was one of the things that we discussed and we needed to get it over the line.

“I had delayed constituting the LOC because of the challenges we had with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections. But, it reached a point where it was no longer possible to delay and we had to gazette the LOC as soon as possible.

“It is our desire to make sure that the LOC supports the work that is already being done by the government to ensure that we are ready for CHAN,” Murkomen told reporters on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Readiness

On readiness to host, especially CHAN, Murkomen remained confident that the country would beat the deadline and co-host the showpiece.

“I want to assure CAF, and I want to assure Kenyans, that we will be ready to host CHAN. We are putting everything in place, we are burning the midnight oil and mobilizing all resources to ensure that we host CHAN next year. The government is committed to ensuring that this happens.

“It’s true, we have a lot of work to do and that is why this LOC has a very huge responsibility. Even if it means working night and day, we have to meet the obligations that have been set. What we are going to do, especially with Kasarani, is we will complete the crucial aspects of the facility like the playing surface, dressing room, and stands,” he added.

Murkomen is set to leave the Talanta Hela offices after he was re-assigned by President William Ruto to Interior and National Cordination ministry in a mini-cabinet reshuffle.

Salim Mvurya will succeed the former Elgeiyo-Marakwet Senator.