Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations are in top gear, according to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports, Elijah Mwangi.
Kenya is preparing Raila Odinga International Stadium and Kasarani Stadium as match venues for next year’s showpiece that will be co-hosted by CECAFA neighbors Uganda and Tanzania.
PS Elijah Mwangi said the CAF Delegation that was in the country last week for inspection of stadium works and other relevant areas connected to the hosting of the Pamoja AFCON have given Kenya a thump up on infrastructure development especially on the magnificent 60,000- seater Raila Odinga International Stadium, with few areas remaining ahead of its completion.
“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 in Muranga County during a public engagement forum with local residents and leaders.
Mwangi revealed that works are on course in the areas recently recommended by the CAF delegation including expansion of the press conference room and the media tribune.
“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,” Mwangi added.
Works to modify Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu to required standards are set to commence after the government issued a new mandate for the contractor following an agreement to withdraw a court case revolving around past works on the facility.
Kenya has earmarked Raila Odinga International Stadium and Kasarani as the main competition venues for the 2027 AFCON while Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino is marked as an alternative venue.
Kenya’s listed training grounds include Kasarani Annex One and Two, Kenya Academy of Sports, Utalii Sports Club, Kirigiti Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nyayo Stadium, Talanta Sports Complex (3) and the University of Eldoret.
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