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Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen has appointed a 36-member multi-agency team to oversee the organization and execution of the African Nations Cup (CHAN 2024) and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) tournaments.

In a gazette notice dated December 6, 2024, Murkomen remarked that the tournaments will offer a unique opportunity to spot talented players on an international stage.

“Now therefore, the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Executive Order No. 2 of 2023 and the Sports Act, 2013 do establish the Pamoja CHAN 2024 and Pamoja AFCON 2027 multi-agency team (CHAN-AFCON MAT),” Murkomen said

Adding: “In the execution of its mandate, the MAT shall adopt its own procedure and set down guiding principles and norms to govern its operations.”

MAT’s oversight council shall include Sports CS, Sports PS Peter Tum, Defence PS Patrick Mariru, Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo and Transport PS Mohamed Daghar.

Steering committee

However, the national steering committee of the multi-agency team will comprise former Sports journalist Nicholas Musonye as the chairperson, FKF President as the Vice-chairperson, the solicitor general, Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Health PS Mary Muthoni, ICT PS John Tanui, Tourism PS John Ololtuaa, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei, Immigration PS Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investments Promotion Abubakar Hassan, Principal Secretary, State Department for East African Community Abdi Fidhow and Nairobi County Secretary Godfrey Akumali.

Other members of the steering committee will include five representatives from FKF, the Director for Sports, State Department for Sports, the Director General, Sports Kenya, the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Academy of Sports, the Chairperson, Kenya Private Sector Alliance or their representative, Chairperson, Media Owners Association of Kenya or their representative, veteran sports journalist Elias Makori, former Harambee Starlets captain Terry Ouko, former Harambee Stars coach Ghost Mulee and Eliud Kipkeu.

Murkomen also appointed the MAT’s secretariat which will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the team. They include Mike Rabar as the head, Patrick Korir, FKF Secretary-General as the Deputy Head of Secretariat, Dennis Kinyua, Natasha Nyakundi, Lorna Misoi, Ivy Kittony, Jack Munialo, Jimmy Lokolong and Nicole Mwende.

Kenya is behind schedule in the race to host CHAN alongside Uganda and Tanzania which have FIFA-grade stadiums. The team is set to fast-track renovations, resource mobilization and logistical cooperation within the government to deliver the tournament which begins on February 1, 2024, and feature 19 teams from across the continent.