•This comes after the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted East Africa 'Pamoja Bid' the co-hosting rights for the upcoming tournament.
•In a statement on Monday, the government revealed a comprehensive plan to set the stage for the premier continental football extravaganza
Image: FILE
The Cabinet has approved the construction of a new stadium and the renovation of four existing facilities as preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations gather momentum.
This comes after the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted East Africa 'Pamoja Bid' the co-hosting rights for the upcoming tournament.
In a statement on Monday, the government revealed a comprehensive plan to set the stage for the premier continental football extravaganza.
“To successfully host Afcon 2027, the Ministry of Sports plans to undertake the construction of the Talanta Sports Complex and extensive renovations at the Nyayo National Stadium, MISC, and the Kipchoge Keino Stadium,” the statement read in part.
“The project works will ensure the stadia meet the standards set by the Caf in preparation for the Afcon 2027.”
The proposed works will include Talanta Sports Complex, a category-four football stadium that will host 60,000 spectators.
“The facility will house a parking lot that can accommodate 5,000 vehicles, two training pitches (one with running track), a commercial hub, arena as well as a public transport terminus.”
Three other existing stadia —Kasarani, Nyayo, and Kipchoge Keino — have been earmarked for renovation, where the government plans to rehabilitate the pitches, running track, and changing rooms for teams and match officials.
“There will also be a provision for medical rooms, doping control room and spectator-related areas, VIP, hospitality, media, TV, and broadcasting areas. Additionally, the government will construct ICT infrastructure and refurbish parking areas.”
Construction and renovation of the stadia will not only enable Kenya to successfully host Afcon 2027 but also reposition the region and Kenya as a competitive sporting destination. “This will unlock economic opportunities to foster sporting development, and project a positive image on the global stage.”
The government said the bid to host Afcon is an integral part of the Talanta Hela Initiative, which seeks to guide Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, to participate in the World Cup in 2030 as envisioned in the Football Vision 2030.
“This is in line with the key objectives of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), specifically, the sports development value chain.”
The three host partners, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have a coordinating team that spearheaded the bidding process.
The team is led by the three Sports Ministers and includes the Sports Principal/Permanent Secretaries, Presidents of the three Football Federations, and technical support teams.
This team is being transformed from a Bid Committee to a Regional Afcon Host Steering Team. “Working under the Regional Steering Team will be a multi-agency Local Organising Committees (LOCs) to be chaired by the respective Sports Ministers.
“It is proposed that the LOCs include Ministers whose dockets will play a pivotal role in organizing and running the tournament.”
For Kenya, these are the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Ministry of Defence, the National Treasury and Economic Planning as well as the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Others are the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage the Ministry of East African Community, the A, SALs, and Regional Development.