Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have received a fresh vote of confidence from the Local Organising Committee (LOC), despite concerns over delays in the renovation of Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani.
With a crucial Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection scheduled for next month, LOC Chairman Nicholas Musonye expressed optimism that the country remains on track to meet the required benchmarks.
Speaking after a recent assessment of the host venues, Musonye admitted that Kasarani remains the biggest concern but insisted significant progress is expected in the coming days.
“My worry as I talk to you now is Kasarani, but by the end of this week, a lot of things will have been done there to ensure that when the CAF inspectors come, they will be satisfied that we are honouring their requirements,” said Musonye.
The stadium, which is undergoing major renovations including the installation of a new playing surface, is behind Talanta Sports City, where construction had already surpassed the 90 percent completion mark in May this year.
CAF requires all competition venues to have attained at least 80 percent physical completion by the August inspection, while all match venues and training facilities must be fully operational by January 2027 ahead of the tournament, which will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Musonye also reassured that work on the designated training facilities will gather pace after delays caused by contractual issues were resolved.
“The contractor met with the relevant authorities last week to harmonize payments and other details. By the end of this week, a lot of things will also happen on the training grounds,” he said, adding that renovations at Kasarani Annex 1 and Annex 2 are set to begin immediately.
Despite the challenges, Musonye maintained that Kenya remains well-positioned ahead of the CAF inspection.
“We are very much on course. By the time CAF inspectors arrive next month, we will be in a very good position to explain ourselves,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi chaired the inaugural induction meeting of the Pamoja AFCON 2027 National Steering Committee at Kasarani Stadium, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering a successful continental championship.
“The successful delivery of the TotalEnergies Pamoja AFCON 2027 remains one of Kenya’s foremost national priorities, with the implementation phase now firmly underway,” said Mwangi.
He noted that the meeting strengthened inter-agency collaboration and operational coordination as preparations gather momentum.
Mwangi said Kenya continues to invest in the construction and modernization of sports infrastructure to ensure all competition venues meet CAF standards while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
He further highlighted the government’s whole-of-government approach, bringing together ministries and agencies responsible for security, transport, immigration, water, energy, telecommunications and other critical services to guarantee a seamless tournament for players, officials, fans and visitors.
The Sports PS challenged the National Steering Committee to provide strategic oversight to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), ensuring every milestone is delivered on schedule and in line with international standards.
Mwangi also revealed that the government has already paid the hosting fee and allocated resources to facilitate the operations of the LOC, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to successfully co-host the 2027 AFCON with Uganda and Tanzania.
Beyond football, he said the tournament presents a unique opportunity to boost tourism, attract investment, stimulate economic growth, create employment, strengthen the creative economy and elevate Kenya’s status as a global destination for sports, business and culture.
