Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Monday officially handed over Kasarani Stadium to the CHAN 2024 Local Organising Committee, marking a major step forward in Kenya’s preparations to host the continental tournament. The ceremony symbolized the completion of renovation works done in line with Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards and requirements.
Kasarani is now fully equipped and ready to host matches during CHAN 2024, including all of Kenya’s group stage games and the tournament final scheduled for August 30.
Speaking during the handover, CS Mvurya confirmed that the stadium was ready for immediate use, saying: “Today, we will open Kasarani Stadium as a sign that the work here has been completed, and we will welcome members of the Local Organizing Committee because they also have some work to do in the training grounds. ”
CS Mvurya expressed appreciation to stakeholders and the public for their support throughout the process: “We are also grateful to our members for the support and encouragement they have given us every time.”
He added that preparations would now shift focus to working with the Local Organizing Committee of the Harambee Stars and supporting the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in operational readiness for the competition: “Starting tomorrow, focus shifts to our national soccer team Harambee Stars preparations,so we can continue to work with them and provide necessary support to the Federation. You know, when we do this kind of sports infrastructure, we are spending public funds.”
However, Mvurya condemned recent incidents of vandalism targeting public infrastructure, warning against the destruction of facilities that are built with taxpayers’ money: “It is very, very unfortunate that the same public can go ahead and destroy a public facility. Even though we are in a democratic society and a democratic country, we need to be very careful with public facilities and also private businesses.”
He confirmed that security enhancements, including wall reinforcements and installation of CCTV, were already underway: “That incident was very, very unfortunate. That’s why we are enhancing the wall, and in the next two days, some of those areas will already be secured. We will also enhance CCTV so that we can monitor and address those kinds of situations.”
The Cabinet Secretary called on Kenyans to take collective responsibility in protecting national infrastructure: “When we have a facility like this, we all need to take responsibility as Kenyans to protect it. So I want to urge everyone — let us not use the excuse of demonstrations and protesting to destroy public and private property.”
Also in attendance during the handover ceremony were Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, members of the LOC Steering Committee led by National Chairperson Nicholas Musonye, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, and representatives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
The renovation and upgrade of Kasarani Stadium was carried out by Chinese firm China Roads, Bridge and Construction, under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The successful completion and handover of Kasarani Stadium reinforces Kenya’s readiness to host CHAN 2024, with expectations high for both the organization of the tournament and the performance of the national team.
