Govt dismisses claims of poor infrastructure ahead of 2027 AFCON
By Aloys Michael, January 19, 2026The government has dismissed concerns questioning the East African region’s preparedness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following reports citing inadequate road networks and infrastructure in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Addressing the claims on Sunday, January 18, 2026, during a benchmarking visit to Morocco, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi affirmed that Kenya, alongside its two co-hosting partners, has met the necessary infrastructure standards and remains fully prepared to stage the continental football tournament.
In a video posted by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, the PS noted that Kenya had the capacity and what it takes to host the tournament, highlighting the success witnessed when the three countries hosted the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in 2025.
“We have the capacity and what it takes, both infrastructure-wise and the amenities within the countries, including our teams. We did it during CHAN, and we did learn. We have the support of CAF and the president is supporting us,” Mwangi said.
“It is a great opportunity for us to show what we have. We shall make it better than CHAN and even better than Morocco,” he added.
The PS was speaking after the three countries were confirmed to be hosting the next AFCON tournament, where they received the AFCON flag, officially signalling that they will be hosting the tournament in 2027.
EAC ready for AFCON?
He welcomed sports enthusiasts from Africa and across the globe, describing the joint hosting of the tournament as a major opportunity for East African nations to showcase their capabilities.
During a benchmarking tour, the Principal Secretary cited Morocco’s advanced stadium infrastructure as a learning point, noting areas that require improvement locally, reiterating the government’s commitment to delivering a successful tournament, and revealing that key projects, including the Talanta Stadium, set to host the opening and closing ceremonies, are progressing as planned.
Meanwhile, debate over East Africa’s readiness intensified after an Ivorian journalist questioned the region’s infrastructure, sparking backlash from Kenyan and regional football fans.
But, in his response, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has firmly rejected calls to restrict major tournaments to established football nations, stressing that CAF remains committed to developing football across Africa.
He noted that limiting hosting rights would undermine growth efforts on the continent. Kenya is set to make history by co-hosting the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania, following a successful joint hosting of CHAN in 2025.
The June–July 2027 tournament will mark the first AFCON co-hosted by three countries and the first in East Africa in almost five decades since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.