In a major boost to regional integration and football tourism, Kenya has announced visa-free entry for fans, media personnel, and other stakeholders planning to attend the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News The decision, part of a broader East African initiative, is aimed at ensuring smooth cross-border movement during the two major continental tournaments.##NAJAVA_MECA_9007120##Uganda has already enacted a similar waiver, while Tanzania is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.Kenya’s Harambee Stars will be making their debut in the CHAN tournament, which features only local-based players, and have been drawn into Group A alongside Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Angola.The national team will open their campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, with Nyayo Stadium also scheduled to host several matches.Bob Oyugi urges Benni McCarthy to tap local coaching talent ahead of CHANKenya to grant visa-free entry for 2024 Chan. Uganda plans on, Tanzania to follow suit.⚽ pic.twitter.com/SN36LrPuzR— New Joshua 🇺🇬 (@JoshuaDegree) July 6, 2025 Speaking to the press in Nairobi after the final Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection to assess Kenya’s readiness, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye confirmed the visa waiver and thanked the government for supporting the initiative.“Kenya has waived visa fees. People coming to watch CHAN or AFCON will not pay for a visa. They can move freely between Kenya, Uganda, and soon Tanzania, as long as they are here for football,” Musonye announced.He clarified, however, that the visa waiver would not come at the expense of national security.“We cannot open our borders to everyone without scrutiny. Our security forces will remain vigilant. Even if you’re coming from Congo, Egypt, Uganda or elsewhere, you must show documentation proving you’re here for the competition. Security remains a top priority,” he emphasized.Top performers recognized at Mara Sugar galaMusonye also confirmed that the Kenyan venues are nearly ready for the tournament, despite initial doubts earlier in the year.“When CAF came in January, March, and May, there were questions about our preparedness. But now we’ve passed the test. Our facilities are 98 percent ready. Of course, no stadium is ever 101 percent perfect, but we are more than capable of hosting a successful CHAN tournament,” he said.The 2024 CHAN tournament, initially scheduled for February, was postponed to August to allow final preparations.##NAJAVA_MECA_9004625##It will also serve as a test event ahead of the 2027 AFCON, which Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host, marking East Africa’s return to hosting a major continental championship after decades.“With what we have in place, we’re not just ready for CHAN, we’re laying the groundwork for a historic AFCON in 2027. I’ve been across the continent, and I can confidently say our facilities are among the best,” Musonye affirmed.
