AFCON 2027: Ababu Namwmamba Officially Closes Kasarani Stadium For Renovations

• The government officially began preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, set to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
• The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani has officially been closed, as announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts
• Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba stated that the stadium would undergo a total overhaul, transforming Kasarani into a world-standard stadium within the next 12 months

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The government has officially started preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that is set to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

In a statement on Friday, December 15, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts stated that the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani was officially closed.

During the event graced by Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, the CS stated that the move was part of the CAF recommendations and a key activity within the Sports Infrastructure Master Plan ahead of the African showpiece.

Namwamba stated that the four-decade-old stadium would undergo a total overhaul, including the canopy, terraces, changing rooms, washrooms, media centres, lighting, drainage systems, and the introduction of coded seats, among other state-of-the-art advancements.

“We are committed to transforming Kasarani into a world standard stadium in the next 12 months, undertaken in a fashion that observes timeliness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness with the highest standards in mind,” he said.

The CS said the stadium would be closed to all activities, reiterating that "Kasarani Stadium is out of bounds."

Who will spearhead renovations at Kasarani

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum stated that the stadium's transformation will take place within the next 12 months.

"It is expected that this contract will last for only twelve months beginning today, and therefore it is expected that they will have finished the refurbishment. What we are looking at is the issue of speed, quality and the fact that we are getting stadia in this country that for the first time what speaks to what football in the world requires," he said.

Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru reassured the public that the project would be done within one year and the highest standards.

"We are going to seal off the place so that the contractor starts work. I am committing on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Kenya Defence Forces(KDF)," Mariru said.

Why CAF settled on Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Kenya won the bid to host the 2027 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations alongside her East Africa neighbours.

Confederation of Africa Football President Patrice Motsepe made the announcement following a decision-making meeting of the continental soccer body’s Executive Committee in Cairo.

The joint bid by East Africa was presented on the final day after much deliberation among the three nations that have never hosted the tournament.