The government has assured Kenyans that preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament are on course, with major infrastructure projects at the Talanta Sports City and other host venues progressing as scheduled.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Talanta Sports City, officially known as the Raila Odinga International Stadium, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya announced that the country had moved beyond paying the hosting fee and was now fully focused on delivering the infrastructure required for the continental football showpiece.
Mvurya stated that he was satisfied with the progress made at the stadium following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and a series of follow-up inspections aimed at ensuring compliance with tournament requirements.
“Today was part of a follow-up visit to check and confirm the implementation of some of the areas we had agreed upon with CAF. Generally, I am very happy with the progress that has been made at Raila Odinga International Stadium because this is going to be one of the main venues for AFCON 2027,” he stated.
The CS noted that the stadium will play a central role in Kenya’s co-hosting of the tournament and emphasized that the government remains committed to delivering all the required facilities within the stipulated timelines.
Mvurya further revealed that two additional training grounds had been handed over to contractors for development, adding to a third facility where grass has already been planted and is undergoing monitoring to ensure proper germination.
“In this area, we will have three training grounds that will be used during AFCON 2027. The two training grounds handed over today are expected to be completed within two months, while the third one is already progressing well,” Mvurya reiterated.
He said the training facilities will also support athletics development through the installation of tartan tracks, thereby expanding their use beyond football.
According to the CS, significant progress has also been recorded within the main stadium, where the focus has now shifted to mechanical and electrical installations.
“The bulk of the remaining work is on mechanical and electrical systems. We have also monitored the pitch, and the grass has come out very well. Our team will continue carrying out the necessary maintenance practices to ensure the pitch meets CAF standards,” he assured.
Mvurya also announced that renovation works at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, would soon commence, including replacement of the playing surface and other construction activities aimed at meeting international standards ahead of the tournament.
To strengthen oversight of the preparations, the government has stationed technical teams at the site, including officials from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and CAF, who will provide regular reports on project implementation.
“We have the chair of the Local Organizing Committee and a CAF technical officer already working closely with us. They will monitor progress on a daily basis and provide reports that will guide decision-making,” he said.
Beyond the stadium structures, Mvurya disclosed that supporting infrastructure was also advancing steadily citing the completion of a one-million-litre capacity water tank, progress on road works, plans for rail connectivity and the ongoing construction of the perimeter wall as key milestones.
“Water has already been fixed through the installation of a one-million-litre tank. Work is also progressing on roads and other public infrastructure around the stadium. Everything is coming up well,” he stated.
The CS expressed confidence that the major works within the stadium and a significant portion of auxiliary infrastructure would be completed by the end of July.
“We are monitoring progress closely so that by the end of July, the main works inside the stadium and part of the auxiliary works should have been completed. Landscaping is also progressing well,” he said.
At the same time, Mvurya emphasised that Kenya’s preparations extend beyond construction projects and include institutional arrangements required by CAF.
He divulged that the Local Organizing Committee had already been constituted and would soon convene a special session to activate various subcommittees responsible for media, logistics, operations and other critical areas.
“The preparations are not only about infrastructure. We have already formed the Local Organizing Committee, which includes several subcommittees that will oversee different aspects of the tournament preparations,” he explained.
He reiterated that the government would continue engaging the public and the media to provide updates on progress and ensure transparency throughout the preparation period.
“I want to assure Kenyans that we are on schedule in our preparations for AFCON 2027. We will continue updating the country on the progress being made and work closely with all stakeholders to ensure we are ready for the tournament.”
Mvurya also thanked the various government agencies supporting the project, including the National Treasury, Ministry of Water, Ministry of Energy and Sports Kenya, stressing that their collaboration was critical to the successful delivery of the country’s AFCON commitments
Meanwhile, Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the prestigious continental tournament will be staged in the East African region.
The government views the event as a major opportunity to boost sports development, infrastructure investment and regional integration.
by Doreen Kasung’wa and Sallo Gobana
