African Tournament Kenya Will Host 3 Years Before AFCON 2027

Kenya is poised to host the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in 2024, three years before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations which the country will host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The Executive Office of the President through a Cabinet dispatch dated Monday, October 9 confided that the country was selected to host the showpiece.

Kenya was selected to host the prestigious competition in 2018 but was later stripped of hosting rights owing to infrastructural shortfalls.

"In addition to AFCON 2027, Kenya has also been selected to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in September 2024," read the despatch in part.

The country will also host the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Under-18 Championship as well as the AFCON Under-15 [Pan-African Schools Football], and CECAFA Region Championship in November and December 2023 respectively.

This exciting announcement marks a significant moment for Kenya's footballing future. However, it is important to note that there has been no official communication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming Kenya's hosting rights for the 2024 CHAN.

In readiness to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the Kenyan government will be required to have stadiums that meet the required standards ahead of time and demonstrate that its transport infrastructure will be able to handle the human traffic that will be flying into the country for the highly-anticipated tournament.

Kenya will also be required to have adequate accommodation facilities to host the teams, technical staff, delegates, VIPs and visitors.

"In a bid to elevate Kenya's standing as a sporting powerhouse, Cabinet approved various construction and renovation projects of facilities for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The ambitious plan includes building the Talanta Sports Complex (Jamhuri, Nairobi) and extensive renovations of Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium," added the despatch.

The government's signature project under this initiative will be the Talanta Sports Complex; a 60,000-seater football stadium featuring ample parking, world-class training pitches, a commercial hub named the 'Hustler Bazaar, an arena, and a dedicated public transport terminus.

The Renovation efforts for Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadia will include pitch rehabilitation, enhanced facilities, ICT infrastructure, canopy installation, and Hustler Bazaars.

The Cabinet added that the upgrades are designed to meet the high standards set by CAF for the prestigious continental event. Beyond AFCON 2027, these initiatives will position Kenya as a competitive sporting destination and unlock economic opportunities while fostering sports development.

President William Ruto meanwhile expressed that the government would spread the AFCON and all other national and international tournaments across the country.

The President made the remarks on Monday, October 9 while addressing the public in Kisumu during his three-day visit to the region.

He further assured Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o that the county will host some of the 2027 AFCON matches, in response to concerns by Nyong'o and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa questioning the omission of the Western and Nyanza regions from hosting the AFCON matches.

“Among many other things that we did is also to agree on how we are going to host all the tournaments that we have starting from AFCON to CHAN and CECAFA and all the others and to spread all facilities across Kenya. I know Professor Anyang' Nyong'o is on record as making his position known as to where the place of Kisumu in hosting these facilities,” stated Ruto. 

"I want to confirm to you professor that we have taken into account the place of Kisumu in hosting at least some of the tournaments that we have spread across the country.”