Renovated Nyayo Stadium officially handed over ahead of CHAN

Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru (third left) with Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya holds a symbolic key when they officially handed over Nyayo nation stadium on July 16, 2025/X

The Ministry of Defence has officially handed over the Nyayo National Stadium to the Sports ministry following the completion renovations ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Nyayo Stadium, alongside the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will serve as the main venues for the continental tournament, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.

The 30,000-seat stadium, originally built in 1983, was closed for upgrades in August 2024.

The refurbishment was led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya expressed her happiness with the works undertaken as she presided over hand over.

“The Ministry of Defence is today proud to have successfully led the upgrading of Nyayo National Stadium, the Moi International Sports Center- Kasarani (MISC), and all auxiliary stadia in readiness for Kenya’s co-hosting of next month's CHAN and later on, the 2027 AFCON,” she said.

Tuya also handed over Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Complex which have been earmarked as the venues for training sessions during the month-long competition.

Following the Defence Ministry's handover, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya officially transferred the facilities to the CHAN Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

The committee, led by chairperson Nicholas Musonye and KDF's Chief of Special Projects Titus Sokobe, were present during the ceremony.

Also in attendance were Principal Secretaries Patrick Mariru (Defence) and Elijah Mwangi (Sports).

Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama who is also the chairman of the National Assembly’s committee on Sports, Tourism and Culture was also present.

One of the major upgrades at the Nyayo Stadium is the lighting which has seen the old lighting towers replaced with new ones, making the stadium suitable for night matches and training.

The VIP area has new seats, glass rails and with the wall covering the VIP entrance having been cleaned, and broken glass replaced.

A major addition to the VIP area is a media center on the left side, designed to accommodate the hundreds of journalists who will cover the tournament.

An additional area for cameramen has also been created above the VIP area, beneath the roof.

In the tunnel leading to the changing rooms, the canopy has been replaced, and a green carpet has been laid on the walkway.

On the field, movable goalposts have been installed along with electronic advertising boards that will be installed before the event begins.

The dressing rooms, including the referee's room with a refrigerator for food storage are the other changes made.

Kasarani will host the ultimate match on final day of the championship.

CHAN begins on August 2 and ends on August 30.