The Ministry of Sports has instructed the Football
Kenya Federation (FKF) to immediately accelerate preparations for the Harambee
Stars ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Kenya,
Uganda and Tanzania.
Speaking on Tuesday during a follow-up meeting with
the AFCON Local Organising Committee (LOC) members in Nairobi, Sports Principal
Secretary Elijah Mwangi warned that results on the pitch must match world-class stadium infrastructure.
“When we shall be hosting AFCON here, we have
requested that FKF must ensure that our team is ready for competition,” PS
Mwangi stated.
“We don’t want a situation where we host big games
here, but then our fans get disappointed because of our team not progressing to
the next level.”
He also assured that player welfare and motivation
frameworks are already in place to keep the squad focused.
“Matters to do with player remunerations, their
motivation, everything is okay and we have done it right.”
The directive to the federation comes as
construction and rehabilitation across earmarked tournament venues approach
their final stages.
Updating on stadium readiness, PS Mwangi revealed
that the Raila Odinga International Talanta Stadium has crossed the 96 percent
mark of completion.
“Our stadiums progress on well. Raila Odinga Talanta
Stadium is in excess of 96% completion. Being the main stadium that will be
used to host either the opening or closing ceremony, we are keen to ensure that
we are done as per the time that we had targeted,” said Mwangi.
He added that contractors are actively on site at
the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for completion of renovations.
“At Kasarani we have a contractor who is on site and
we expect the field which they are working on will be done and completed.”
In addition to primary match venues, training
facilities across the capital are being prepared to enhance enough facilities
for trainings.
Kirigiti Stadium has been handed over by contractors
to serve primarily as a training pitch for match officials with others
including Nyayo stadium, Police Sacco, Ulinzi Complex, Kasarani Annex one and
two and Kenya Academy of Sports.
Addressing administrative and financial readiness, the
PS confirmed that funds for the LOC have been factored into the upcoming budget
following approval from the executive and parliament.
“We are on course because we are expected to have a
budget for the LOC, which has been prepared and passed. We thank His Excellency
the President because in this financial year 2026/2027, we were allocated money
so that we can start the preparations,” he noted.
Mwangi added that the committee is refining
operational protocols by drawing from the 2024 African Nations Championship
(CHAN)
“We reviewed the other responsibilities within this
committee, learning from CHAN 2025 on the things that we need to work on well,
matters to do with security, fan engagement, and the like.”
To ensure the excitement of AFCON 2027 reaches every
corner of Kenya, the government plans to establish fan zones across all major
towns.
“The discussion is that every town, with
the provision of adequate replained
He concluded with a call to the public to fully
support the process so that Kenya delivers an historical continental showpiece.
“We ask Kenyans to continue supporting this process,
we can assure them that we shall deliver AFCON 2027.”
Kenya will co-host the 36th edition of the
continental showpiece alongside neighbouring East African nations Uganda and
Tanzania under the ‘Pamoja 2027’ umbrella.
