Kenya is set to co-host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in August 2025 alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
This will be the eighth edition of the biennial competition organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the first time it will be jointly co-hosted by three countries.
Speaking during the CHAN National Steering Committee on Thursday at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi, Principal Secretary (PS) for State Department for Sports Elijah Mwangi said that the country has been given the green light by CAF and it is ready to host the tournament.
“We assure Kenyans that we are ready. The committee had an oversight CHAN meeting to appraise ourselves and our preparedness to host the tournament and we can report that everything is ready,” he said, adding that CAF had given the country the green light and had already scheduled when matches will be played.
The PS who is also the Chair of the committee, said that the committee handed over Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani stadium on Monday to the Local Organising Committee and that the other facilities are also ready to host the matches.
“We have also toured to confirm that the other stadiums and training grounds that will be used during the tournaments and we can confirm that the infrastructure is ready to host the matches,” he said, adding that ensuring all the facilities meet CAF standards is a significant undertaking.
Principal Secretary for State Department for Defense Patrick Mariru reiterated that all the infrastructure and stadiums to be used during the tournament are ready to host the matches.
PS Mariru said that the department was responsible for supervising the renovation and the upgrading of the facilities and that the department would like to confirm that they are done and ready to host the matches.
“I would like to confirm that the renovation and upgrading of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani stadium and Nyayo National Stadium are complete,” he said, adding that Ulinzi Sports complex and Police Sacco stadium are also complete and are ready.
In terms of matters of security, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Interior Raymond Omollo assured Kenyans and all the visitors who will be visiting the country of their security, stating that they have made the necessary deployments and training reviews of police officers.
“We have made the necessary deployments and training reviews which will ensure that all our visitors, as well as Kenyans who will be participating either as spectators or as business people, hotel owners and everybody in the entire ecosystem are well protected and that they are ready.”
He appealed to the public to work closely together with all the security agencies and security officers for purposes of ease of flow of traffic and also order within the stadiums where we will be hosting the tournament and the training grounds across the city.
Omollo said that successfully hosting the CHAN Championship can enhance Kenya’s reputation on the international stage, showcasing its capability to organise major events and potentially attracting future investments and events.
“The football fraternity has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure to promote talent and to showcase what Kenya offers, not just in the East Africa Community but to the world,” he said, adding that the success of this event will be a precursor to many other important events that will bring business to the country and promote it.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN), officially known as the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship, will take place from 2-30 August 2025.
The tournament focuses on home-based players, providing a platform for local talent to gain exposure and experience, which can contribute to the development of football in the country.
By Anita Omwenga
