The Principal Secretary of Defence Patrick Mariru has reiterated that Kenya will host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as scheduled, dismissing rumours to the contrary.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mariru said he conducted a site visit to inspect the ongoing works at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
“The works on the two stadia are under the Ministry of Defence’s supervision for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy, and Sports, as part of Kenya’s preparations to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in February 2025 and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027,” he said.
According to PS Mariru, the two stadia will be ready to host CHAN this February, 2025 as promised.
This comes after Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that Kenya, alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda, will co-host the delayed 2024 CHAN from 1 to 28 February.
“Definitely, we are hosting CHAN from 1st February to 28th February 2025 as scheduled. The teams allocated to Kenya are yet to be determined because the draw has not been conducted by CAF. We are burning the midnight oil to ensure our facilities are ready for hosting,” he said.
Murkomen acknowledged the challenges of getting the stadia ready by the deadline but assured the public that the government is doing everything possible to prepare.
“It’s not been easy, and it’s still a challenge, but I have been receiving updates every three days of the week. Today, the contractors assured us they are doing everything humanly possible to ensure we beat the deadline,” he stated.
Kenya presented the 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, and the 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium as the match venues for the tournament.
Police Sacco Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, MISC Annex, and Kenya Academy of Sports in Kasarani have been earmarked as training venues.
