Months after Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums were closed by the government for renovation in readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the latter remains in use.While works at the Kasarani Stadium have begun with the contractor on site, Nyayo is still hosting among others the Premier League games, Athletics and religious events.Why Nyayo and Kasarani stadia are ill-equipped to host international matchesThe venue hosted last weekend’s clash between AFC Leopards and Murang’a Seal and is scheduled to stage a mega church crusade in the coming weeks.Kenya, under EA Pamoja, is expected to host the 2027 AFCON alongside neighbors Uganda and Tanzania.In a recent interview, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Hon Ababu Namwamba explained that Nyayo Stadium will remain in use to help finish the calendar year events already planned.“Nyayo has been delayed a bit because it is the only stadium we have to host already scheduled activities like the Kipkeino Classic and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the Harambee Stars coming up in June,” Ababu explained.He allayed any fears and promised that everything is within schedule. “Overall, we’re fully in control of our destiny, and I can look Kenyans in the eye and tell them that we’ll be fully ready to host a successful AFCON 2027.”Stars Abroad: Oduor nets in Bradford rout as Harper clocks full minutes in League OneAbabu equally noted that the delayed groundbreaking for the proposed 60,000 capacity Talanta Hela Stadium, the anchor facility for the 2027 AFCON, will take place in March.The delay he explained was due to a change in design of the stadium. “There is a design that we had even made public, but when we shared that design with some of the people who have shown interest in executing the project, some fresh ideas came to the table, and there have been a lot of consultations.”We have settled on the final design which will be released soon once the contractor is determined. On AFCON we are on track,” he stated.He remains optimistic that Kenya will host this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).##NAJAVA_MECA_7873791##“We shall make sure that the matches are spread across the country to ensure that all regions benefit.”Interestingly, CAF, the Confederation of African Football, is yet to publicly declare Kenya the 2024 CHAN hosts.A quick check on their website does not reveal any information about the tournament.
