Newspapers on Saturday, March 21, reported on various topics of public interest, including obstacles that may affect Kenya’s right to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
Source: UGC
Saturday Nation
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which governs football in the continent, expects Kenya to have stadiums and training halls for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals by December.
However, signs show that the country is lagging behind in preparations to host the tournament with its East African neighbors.
Kenya is scheduled to host the 36th edition of Afcon along with Uganda and Tanzania under the “East Africa Joint Bid” in June and July 2027.
Beyond match venues and training grounds, the three countries must also provide adequate hotels, good hospitals near the venues, functioning airports in the host cities, and adequate road infrastructure and security.
CAF wants match and training grounds to be ready by December 2026, but concerns are growing that Kenya may miss the deadline due to funding challenges.
In addition to the delay in paying the $30 million (KSh3.9 billion) hosting rights fee, Kenya is struggling with slow progress in upgrading match grounds and training facilities to world-class standards.
During the 2025 Afcon match visit to Morocco in January, CAF Head of Safety and Security Christian Emeruwa told Kenya’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) that infrastructure must be ready at least six months before the start of the match, thus setting the December deadline.
Signs that Kenya may miss the deadline were evident when Sports Secretary Elijah Mwangi appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture on Thursday to present the 2025/26 Supplementary Budget Estimates Number I.
“For the Kasarani Stadium (Moi International Sports Centre), we owe the contractor more than KSh3.7 billion.
The contractor has significantly reduced the workforce, and we may not meet the six-month deadline set by CAF to have the competition and training grounds ready,” Mwangi said.
He warned that Kenya risks losing hosting rights due to the remaining KSh3.9 billion fee.
Mwangi added that CAF has given Kenya until March 30 to pay, noting that Uganda and Tanzania have already completed their contributions.
“We know that Uganda and Tanzania have paid, but Kenya has not yet paid 30 million dollars (KSh3.9 billion). Therefore, the benefits achieved so far may be at risk if we fail to collect the funds by March 30,” he said.
Kenya previously lost the rights to host the 1996 Afcon and the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) due to insufficient preparations.
Paying host rights fees is a primary responsibility for countries hosting Afcon or CHAN.
CAF uses the funds to cover officials’ allowances, team flights, accommodation, and meals.
The current delay is similar to the one that occurred during the preparations for the 2024 CHAN, which Kenya hosted in collaboration with Uganda and Tanzania.
CAF postponed the tournament from February to August 2025 due to lack of preparation.
Sources within the LOC previously told Nation Sport that Kenya was largely responsible for the postponement of the tournament.
The country paid its $13 million (KSh1.6 billion) CHAN hosting fee close to the deadline after pressure from CAF.
The field of Kasarani with 48,000 seats and Talanta Sports City with 60,000 seats, currently under construction, are the main stadiums for Kenya’s matches for Afcon 2027.
Kipchoge Keino Stadium there Eldoret is being developed as an alternative venue.
Training facilities include Kasarani Annex “A” and “B”, Nyayo National Stadium, Defense Stadium, Police Sacco Stadium, Kenya Tourism Stadium, Kenya Sports Academy “A” and “B”, and Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu.
To meet CAF’s timelines, LOC announced in January that renovations would begin in February.
On February 11, the government announced the closure of Kasarani Stadium for renovations.
Nyayo Stadium was also scheduled to close after the World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament.
However, both facilities remain open and continue to host competitions, including FKF Premier League matches.
Mwangi told MPs that the contractor at Nyayo Stadium has left the area due to unpaid fees of over KSh2.6 billion.
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