Kenya’s preparations for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) are on track, with the government assuring that infrastructure upgrades will be completed on time.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, while addressing the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, dismissed concerns over delays, stating that major renovations at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums are progressing well.

“There should be no doubts about our commitment. The government is fully focused on ensuring that all infrastructure is ready on time, and we are working closely with our partners to deliver world-class facilities,” he assured.

The chairperson of the committee, Julius Murgor, sought to know the current status of the refurbishment of the stadiums in connection with hosting the two important events for the country and the region.

In response, CS Mvurya elaborated on the great strides made so far towards the delivery of the match-day venues and training grounds.

“For most of the infrastructure, a lot of progress has been made. Beginning with Kasarani, the stadium has been put under renovations in two phases: one for Chan and another for Afcon 2027. The venues have been assessed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), which has given us a clean bill of health in terms of preparations for Chan. There are minor works ongoing at Nyayo Stadium, like the fixing of lights, which will be completed soon. The Changing rooms, playing surface, and VVIP areas are already done, and the same applies to Kasarani. We have made good progress,” Mvurya stated.

Echoing the CS’s sentiments, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum emphasised the government’s focus on infrastructure development and grassroots sports academies.

“We are making deliberate investments in sports infrastructure and youth development to unlock the full potential of our young talents from the grassroots level,” noted PS Tum.

He added that enabling Kenyan teams to honour global fixtures would build their experience, provide crucial exposure, and aid in their overall development.

“Competing on international stages is key to growth. It boosts confidence, sharpens skills, and allows our athletes to benchmark with the best in the world. We are committed to ensuring our teams get these opportunities,” he said.

With Chan and Afcon preparations entering their second phase, the Ministry remains dedicated to ensuring top-tier facilities and support systems for athletes.

This commitment is expected to bolster Kenya’s standing in international football while nurturing emerging talent across the country.
Nyayo Stadium is set to open its doors to Harambee Stars for the first time in four years.

The Kenya national football team will sample the goodness of the ground on March 24, 2025, when they host Gabon for matchday six of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The game has been marked by Caf as a test match for the Chan tournament.