Kenya’s preparations to host matches at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are advancing steadily, according to Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Elijah Mwangi.
The country is undertaking major upgrades at Raila Odinga International Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which are expected to serve as Kenya’s principal venues when the continental tournament comes to East Africa next year.
Kenya will stage the competition alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja bid.
Mwangi says the latest inspection by a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) provided encouraging feedback on the progress being made, particularly at the 60,000-capacity Raila Odinga International Stadium.
The CAF team visited Kenya last week to assess ongoing stadium construction and examine other facilities connected to the country’s preparations for AFCON 2027.
“We are progressing very well as Pamoja countries as we gear up towards hosting of AFCON 2027. Last week we had received a delegation from CAF who came to inspect our stadiums and we are very grateful because when they came in February they had given us a target of 80% completion by August 2026.
“When they came back, they were able to identify areas that we are to work on and finish but those are new requirements. Essentially by the initial design, we are at 95% completion of the facility.
“As far as the hosting is concerned, they gave us a rating of 80%,” PS Mwangi said Gatanga, Muranga County during a public engagement forum with local residents and leaders.
The Sports PS said contractors are now addressing the additional requirements raised during the latest CAF assessment.
Among the areas being worked on are improvements to the press conference facilities and enlargement of the media tribune.
Attention is also being paid to Kasarani, where construction activity is already underway.
“For Kasarani, the contractor is on the site and he is working on the recommended areas and we are certain that by December all the works will have been completed. We have not yet started working on Nyayo Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex because we want football to continue and therefore giving our teams somewhere to play before we open Kasarani or Raila Odinga Stadium,” PS Mwangi added.
The government has also made plans to upgrade Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County to meet the standards required for the tournament.
Renovation work at the facility is expected to begin after the government issued fresh instructions to the contractor following an agreement that paved the way for the withdrawal of a court dispute linked to previous works at the stadium.
For the AFCON tournament itself, Raila Odinga International Stadium and Kasarani have been identified as Kenya’s principal match venues. Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret has been designated as a reserve option.
Kenya’s proposed training facilities include Kasarani Annex One and Two, the Kenya Academy of Sports, Utalii Sports Club, Kirigiti Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nyayo Stadium, three facilities at Talanta Sports Complex and the University of Eldoret.
With the tournament now approaching, authorities are racing against time to complete the outstanding works and ensure Kenya’s facilities meet CAF’s requirements before the continental football showcase gets underway.
