By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed satisfaction with the steady progress Kenya has made in its preparations to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Hon. Salim Mvurya, welcomed the positive remarks as he hosted the CAF delegation at Talanta Plaza.
“As a government, we are firmly committed to delivering a world-class tournament in August. We remain on course and will not relent in maintaining the momentum necessary to complete all works by the end of June this year,” he stated.
The sentiments follows an extensive inspection tour by a high-powered CAF delegation led by Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba and Director of Competitions Samson Adamu.
The delegation assessed key facilities earmarked for the tournament, including the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, and the Police Sacco Grounds.
CAF officials noted significant improvements since their last visit in December, citing notable progress in pitch readiness, grassing, and installation of stadium seating.
Secretary General Mosengo-Omba commended the strides made, terming them a “quantum leap,” while noting a few remaining gaps that require fine-tuning to achieve full compliance with CAF standards.
“Our assessment takes a holistic approach,” said the Secretary General.
“We inspect every aspect, pitch quality, grassing, lighting, security, internet connectivity, entry gates, boundary walls, and other amenities necessary for an optimal football experience. Kenya has made impressive progress, and with sustained momentum, the venues will be ready for a world-class tournament,” he added.
CS Mvurya further reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deliver fully-compliant, tournament-ready venues that will also be critical facilities during AFCON in 2027. He disclosed that the Government has disbursed KSh 400 million to fast-track the remaining works at Kasarani Stadium and initiate test matches to eval uate pitch quality and facility functionality.
“The Government of Kenya, under the leadership of H.E. President Dr. William Ruto, remains deeply committed to investing in sports infrastructure,” said Cabinet Secretary Mvurya.
“Our collaboration with CAF lays a solid foundation for raising football standards in the country, building a pipeline for world-class players, strengthening domestic teams and leagues, and positioning Kenya with full confidence to bid for and host future tournaments such as AFCON,” he added.
To maintain progress and ensure full adherence to CAF’s recommendations, the CS directed the Principal Secretary for Sports to closely monitor the implementation and timely completion of all facility upgrades.
Also present at the meeting were FKF President Hussein Mohammed, FKF Secretary General Harold Ndege, CHAN Local Organizing Committee Chair Nicholas Musonye, CHAN CEO Michael Rabar, and Secretary Administration Evans Achoki.
