Ruto Tasks Namwamba With Overseeing Joint Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania AFCON Bid

The Head of State tasked Namwamba to mobilise his team and work with that of the neighbouring countries to come up with a strong bid

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May 15, 2023 - 13:32 Updated: Sep 2, 2023 - 22:40
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Ruto Tasks Namwamba With Overseeing Joint Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania AFCON Bid
President William Ruto speaking at State House in Nairobi alongside Sports CS Ababu Namwamba. /PCS

President William Ruto on Monday, May 15 mandated Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba to engage Kenya's neighbours Uganda and Tanzania so that the three East African nations bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Speaking at State House in Nairobi while receiving Kenya's joint bid, the Head of State tasked Namwamba to mobilise his team and work with that of the neighbouring countries to come up with a solid bid to host the biggest football competition in Africa.

“The work of prosecuting our joint bid now begins in earnest, and Kenya intends to make its full contribution to it.

President William Ruto dribbles a football at State House, Nairobi on May 15, 2023. /PCS

"Hon Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, is duly seized of this assignment, and is mobilising his team, liaising with his counterparts in Uganda and Tanzania to formulate a winning bid so that the people of our countries can look forward to participating in a successful 2027 tournament,” stated the President.

The Head of State further expressed his confidence that the joint bid between the three nations will encourage their respective football teams to qualify for the competitive tournament as well as improve beyond it.

He expressed that the submission is part of the government’s plan to harness skills and talents, noting that the government was keen on undertaking interventions that will make Kenya thrive in sports.

“We hope that our joint bid will motivate all our sides not only to qualify for the 2027 tournament but also to excel beyond previous achievements.

“We also intend to launch a compelling bid that will succeed in winning us this critical opportunity to make Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania the epicentres of regional and continental footballing resurgence,” he added.

Appreciating Kenya’s rich sporting and creative talent, President Ruto explained that the sector has the potential to stimulate economic growth and one that will place Kenya in its rightful position as a sporting superpower.

Some of the interventions that the President noted were being pursued are infrastructure development, enhanced monetisation of sporting talent and the reinstatement of Kenya’s football into good standing.

He added that a long-term intervention will be the attraction of premier international sports and athletics events to Kenya.

“This will stimulate local sports, promote tourism, create employment and enhance our national sporting and athletic brand.”

Namwamba and Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa presented the document to Ruto at State House, Nairobi. The plan dubbed the “Pamoja” bid, which Ruto had previously revealed would be presented to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, May 17 aims to bring the coveted continental showpiece to the East Africa region for the first time in history.

Facts About AFCON 2027 Bid

CAF has 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.

Currently, it is the only National Stadium in Dar es Salaam in the entire East Africa which can host continental matches according to the report on standards of stadiums released by CAF in February. Kenya's biggest stadiums; Nyayo National and Moi International Sports Center Kasarani are still banned from hosting international matches by CAF.

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 has set June 1 to July 15 as the duration for inspection visits. Kenya was awarded, and later on, stripped of the hosting rights for the 1996 AFCON, and 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

While Kenya's national team Harambee Stars has qualified for AFCON six times, Uganda Cranes and Taifa Stars have made it to the continental showpiece seven and two times respectively.

Additional reporting by PCS

Harambee Stars players celebrate during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia. /THE STAR

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