AFCON 2027 Bid: CS Namwamba Plots Ksh1B Upgrade Of Nyayo Stadium
Namwamba further revealed that a new system will be introduced for numbering all seats and the tickets should indicate seat numbers that should be in line with the mini-document.
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Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Thursday, May 18 revealed that Ksh1 billion will be set aside to upgrade the Nyayo National Stadium to international standards.
Appearing on Citizen TV, the CS stated that the Ministry of Sports will do away with the old floodlights to install modern ones to accommodate football matches kicking off at night.
He added that the ministry will also construct a canopy that will protect fans from the elements such as rain and intense sunlight as the matches go on.
Namwamba further revealed that a new system will be introduced for numbering all seats and the tickets should indicate seat numbers that should be in line with the mini-document.
An aerial view of Nyayo National Stadium. /FILE
“Nyayo Stadium has old flood flights that have become obsolete, we will need to install modern ones so that matches can be played even at night.
"The stadium is also a canopy, only the VIP section is covered, we plan to cover the rest of the stadium. We will also introduce a ticketing system that will correspond to seat numbers,” he stated.
They also plan to fix the playing surface to make it even and improve the pitch's drainage system.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had on September 25, 2020, reopened the 45,000-capacity stadium which underwent renovations for three years. Nyayo Stadium is sandwiched between Lang'ata, Mombasa and Aerodrome Roads, two kilometres from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and has hosted league and Harambee Stars games whenever it is in operation.
It recently hosted the Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, which ended 2-1 in favour of the former, their first win over their rivals since 2016.
With regards to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) showpiece in 2027, CS Namwamba revealed that the Kenya Kwanza government will cough up Ksh4 billion to host the tournament.
He added that the joint bid by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania requires a total of Ksh12 billion to be paid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in order to host the continental tournament.
“We have made our bid as East Africa and we have already divided the total amount and agreed with Tanzania and Uganda sports ministers that everyone contributes Ksh4 billion ($30 million). The money will be paid if our bid is successful,” Namwamba stated.
He added that in the event the bid is successful, Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums, both in Nairobi, would be used if successful.
Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium are currently banned by CAF for not meeting the required standards. Nyayo was banned mainly due to a lack of functioning floodlights, and a media centre.
Among other issues, the VVIP area at Nyayo was also not up to standard. The continental football governing body directed that serious renovation be undertaken at Kasarani Stadium.
CAF's demands for any country hosting its matches are that the venues must be near an airport, a level-five hospital and a five-star hotel. Each of the venues must also be accompanied by at least three world-class training grounds.
CAF set Tuesday, May 23 as the deadline for member associations to submit their final bids. Algeria, Botswana and Egypt are the countries that submitted their expression of interest to host the 2027 AFCON.
On May 15, President William Ruto announced that Kenya has submitted a joint bid alongside Uganda and Tanzania to host the tourney, known as the “Pamoja” bid, which aims to bring the coveted continental showpiece to the East Africa region for the first time in history.
