- Kenya could play a key role in the opening and closing ceremonies of AFCON 2027, Interior PS Raymond Omollo has hinted.
- Omollo made the remarks on Monday through his social media accounts after inspecting progress at the Raila Odinga International Stadium.
- Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania in June and July next year.
Kenya could play a key role in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has hinted.
The PS disclosed this on Monday through his social media accounts after inspecting progress at the Raila Odinga International Stadium, which is earmarked as one of Kenya’s flagship venues for the continental showpiece.
The 60,000-seater arena is nearing completion and is expected to be officially unveiled during a high-profile friendly between European giants Bayern Munich and Ajax on January 5, 2027.
“Ahead of the official commissioning of the Raila Odinga International Stadium on 5 January 2027, we undertook an assessment and inspection visit to evaluate the facility’s readiness for the historic occasion. The commissioning will be marked by an international fixture between Bayern Munich and Ajax,” Omollo wrote.
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Once commissioned, the facility, previously known as Talanta Sports Stadium, is set to welcome the HSBC SVNS 2 in January 2027. Its bigger assignment, however, will be to accommodate fixtures during the eagerly anticipated AFCON finals.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are jointly staging the 2027 tournament, with all three East African neighbours racing to complete critical infrastructure ahead of the competition. O
mollo’s latest remarks have now fuelled speculation that Nairobi’s new sporting landmark could be entrusted with the showpiece’s opening and final matches.
The stadium is also expected to play a central role in AFCON 2027, hosting both the opening and final matches,” he added.
ALSO READ: Why LOC Chair Musonye believes Kenya can host AFCON 2027 opening & closing ceremonies
The revelation comes months after Nicholas Musonye, Kenya’s chair of the Local Organising Committee for AFCON 2027, voiced optimism about the country’s chances of securing both high-profile occasions. The continental championship is scheduled for June and July 2027.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has, however, indicated that the hosting arrangements for the opening ceremony remain undecided, leaving room for a different approach that could see all three co-hosts stage celebrations.
“We could have three opening ceremonies, similar to what will happen at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico,” Motsepe explained, stressing that every host nation deserves an opportunity to celebrate the historic occasion.
ALSO READ: Motsepe considers multiple AFCON 2027 opening ceremonies as Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania await decision
Kenya is working to ensure Talanta Stadium and Kasarani Stadium are fully equipped and meet CAF’s requirements before the tournament kicks off.
Across the border, Uganda is accelerating renovations at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), alongside construction at Hoima City Stadium.
Tanzania, meanwhile, is wrapping up improvements at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium while developing the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha, as the three nations work to deliver facilities that meet the continent’s highest football-hosting standards.