Kenya’s preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are progressing well.
The country will co-host the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja AFCON arrangement.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Elijah Mwangi says work at the selected stadiums continues as planned.
The venues include the Raila Odinga International Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
A recent inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also gave Kenya a boost. A CAF delegation visited the country in the last week of August to assess stadiums and other tournament facilities.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress, especially at the 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City. The facility has become a key part of Kenya’s preparations for the tournament.
“We are progressing very well as Pamoja countries as we edge closer to hosting AFCON 2027,” Mwangi said.
He added that CAF officials inspected Kenya’s stadiums and expressed satisfaction with the work, particularly at Talanta Stadium.
Talanta Stadium Reaches 95% Completion
According to Mwangi, construction at the selected venues has reached 95 per cent completion based on the original designs.
This figure exceeds the 80 per cent target that CAF set during its previous inspection in February.
CAF had expected Kenya to reach the 80 per cent mark by August. However, the latest inspection showed that construction had moved beyond that target.
“As per the initial design, we are at 95 percent completion,” Mwangi explained.
However, CAF identified a few additional areas that require attention.
These include expanding the media tribune and upgrading the press conference room.
Mwangi said the government is already working on the new requirements. He also clarified that the recommendations do not affect the overall progress of the project.
Domestic Football Faces Challenges
The update comes as Kenya’s domestic football faces its own challenges.
The 2026/27 FKF Premier League season has yet to begin because of an ongoing legal dispute over promotion and relegation rules.
FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga recently warned that Kenya cannot afford to have domestic football remain paralysed as the country prepares to host AFCON 2027.
Kenya Targets AFCON Readiness
With less than a year remaining before AFCON 2027, the government remains confident about Kenya’s preparations.
Officials say infrastructure work remains on schedule and the country is making steady progress toward meeting CAF’s requirements.
Kenya will host the continental tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania, with the three countries working together under the Pamoja AFCON bid.
The government now faces the task of completing the remaining works and ensuring all facilities meet CAF’s final requirements before the tournament begins.
