The government has revealed when the Nyayo stadium will be ready for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) which Kenya is set to host alongside Uganda and Tanzania from 1-28 February 2025.
The Football Kenya Federation, together with the Ministry of Sports, has been working tirelessly to meet the initial CAF deadline of December 31,2024.
As light is seen at the end of the tunnel, Kenya is on track to host the tournament.
Just three days ago, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in Kenya’s progress, stating that he is positive the country will be ready for the continental tournament that features players from domestic leagues.
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On Monday, December 23, Principal Secretary of Sports Peter Tum provided an update on the country’s progress after the first meeting with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) which is overseeing preparations.
The meeting, held in Nairobi, was attended by FKF President Hussein Mohammed, LOC Chair Nicholas Musonye, Deputy President McDonald Mariga and FKF NEC members Dabar Ahmedqadar (North Eastern), Robert Macharia (Central), FKF CEO Patrick Korir and FKF Competitions Officer Natasha Nyakundi highlighting the collective commitment to the event’s success.
Tum confirmed that the work is progressing on schedule, with the Nyayo national stadium expected to be ready for use.
“I think we are within the time we had anticipated and by the end of 5–10 days in January, all this place will be ready to host the CHAN,” Peter Tum said after inspecting Nyayo Stadium following the meeting.
Tum further stated that there would be no break for Christmas, except for December 25.
“We are breaking for Christmas but I want to tell you that this team has been guided accordingly. There is no Christmas for them except for the 25th. On the 26th, they will be here working to ensure that what we promised CAF has been done to their satisfaction,” Tum added.
He also mentioned that the dressing rooms at Nyayo Stadium are almost complete, and the field is in good condition, meeting CAF’s standards. Floolights are being installed and everything will be in place by the time the tournament begins on February 1.
“We are on the right track, especially in three areas: the fields, the changing rooms, and the floodlights. We are happy to tell you that the floodlights are being erected, and by the time the CHAN tournament begins, everything will be in place,” he reiterated.
LOC Chair Nicholas Musonye echoed these sentiments and expressed confidence in Kenya’s readiness.
“We are working around the clock and will deliver on our mandate. I want to assure everyone that we are going to host CHAN,” he said.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed commended the government’s dedication to infrastructure development.
“First, I want to congratulate the government for the incredible job that is going on at all the sites in terms of the preparations for CHAN, which is coming up very soon,” he stated.
With just a month remaining, Kenya is on track to join Uganda and Tanzania in hosting the tournament. Although Kenya was eliminated by South Sudan in the qualifiers, the country will participate with a direct ticket.
