The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Kenya is ready to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite delays in preparations.
The CHAN tournament, originally scheduled for February 2024, was pushed to August 2025 after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) identified gaps in infrastructure readiness across the three co-hosting nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The postponement was recommended by CAF’s Technical and Infrastructure experts to allow more time for essential upgrades.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured stakeholders that Kenya remains on track with its preparations. He highlighted ongoing renovations at Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia, alongside upgrades to four designated training grounds.
“The government is fully committed to delivering world-class sports facilities. We are working closely with our partners to ensure that all necessary infrastructure is completed within the required timelines,” Mvurya stated.
Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Eng. Peter Tum echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the government’s broader vision of improving sports infrastructure while nurturing young talent through grassroots academies.
“Our focus is not only on upgrading stadiums but also on investing in youth development programs to create a strong pipeline of talent for the future,” Tum remarked.
He added that exposing local teams to international competitions remains a key priority, as it helps enhance their skills and competitiveness on a global scale.
The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, hosted discussions with officials from the Sports Ministry, including Youth Affairs and Creative Economy PS Ismail Maalim. The engagement sought to assess progress and address concerns regarding Kenya’s preparedness for the tournaments.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, faces a challenging path in the CHAN tournament after being drawn in Group A alongside African football giants Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia. The team will be looking to defy the odds and make an impact in the competition, which exclusively features players competing in their domestic leagues.
With infrastructure works underway and government assurances in place, Kenya remains optimistic about successfully co-hosting both CHAN and AFCON, marking a major milestone for East African football.
