Gov't tells FKF to kickoff Harambee Stars' AFCON 2027 preps

Speaking on Tuesday during a follow-up meeting with the AFCON Local Organising Committee (LOC) members in Nairobi, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi warned that results on the pitch must match world-class stadium infrastructure.

“When we shall be hosting AFCON here, we have requested that FKF must ensure that our team is ready for competition,” PS Mwangi stated.

“We don't want a situation where we host big games here, but then our fans get disappointed because of our team not progressing to the next level.”

He also assured that player welfare and motivation frameworks are already in place to keep the squad focused.

“Matters to do with player remunerations, their motivation, everything is okay and we have done it right.”

The directive to the federation comes as construction and rehabilitation across earmarked tournament venues approach their final stages.

Updating on stadium readiness, PS Mwangi revealed that the Raila Odinga International Talanta Stadium has crossed the 96 percent mark of completion.

“Our stadiums progress on well. Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium is in excess of 96% completion. Being the main stadium that will be used to host either the opening or closing ceremony, we are keen to ensure that we are done as per the time that we had targeted,” said Mwangi.

He added that contractors are actively on site at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for completion of renovations.

“At Kasarani we have a contractor who is on site and we expect the field which they are working on will be done and completed.”

In addition to primary match venues, training facilities across the capital are being prepared to enhance enough facilities for trainings.

Kirigiti Stadium has been handed over by contractors to serve primarily as a training pitch for match officials with others including Nyayo stadium, Police Sacco, Ulinzi Complex, Kasarani Annex one and two and Kenya Academy of Sports.

Addressing administrative and financial readiness, the PS confirmed that funds for the LOC have been factored into the upcoming budget following approval from the executive and parliament.

“We are on course because we are expected to have a budget for the LOC, which has been prepared and passed. We thank His Excellency the President because in this financial year 2026/2027, we were allocated money so that we can start the preparations,” he noted.

Mwangi added that the committee is refining operational protocols by drawing from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN)

“We reviewed the other responsibilities within this committee, learning from CHAN 2025 on the things that we need to work on well, matters to do with security, fan engagement, and the like.”

To ensure the excitement of AFCON 2027 reaches every corner of Kenya, the government plans to establish fan zones across all major towns.

“The discussion is that every town, with the provision of adequate resources, we want to have fan zones there for all of us," Mwangi explained.

He concluded with a call to the public to fully support the process so that Kenya delivers an historical continental showpiece.

"We ask Kenyans to continue supporting this process, we can assure them that we shall deliver AFCON 2027."

Kenya will co-host the 36th edition of the continental showpiece alongside neighbouring East African nations Uganda and Tanzania under the 'Pamoja 2027' umbrella.