President William Ruto has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to kick off next month.
Speaking after inspecting the refurbished Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the President lauded the progress made in the facility’s renovation, saying the country is fully ready to host the prestigious continental tournament.
“We are contented with the progress made in the renovation of the Moi International Sports Centre. Kenya is ready to welcome Africa...We are very ready,” Ruto said.
“I am very proud to stand here today.”
Ruto’s visit comes as Kenya finalises preparations to host the CHAN tournament, which brings together national teams made up exclusively of players active in their home country’s domestic leagues.
The major refurbishment of the stadium began in December 2023, led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under instructions from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Sports.
The government pumped in a total of Sh6.7 billion into works, which have been split into two.
Phase 1 entailed the installation of floodlights, seats, upgrading dressing rooms, washrooms, and the playing surface for Sh3.6 billion.
Phase 2 covered the canopy, VIP/presidential areas, media and workstations, plus VAR systems, at an estimated additional Sh 3.1 billion.
According to Ruto, when he decided to bid for the hosting rights of CHAN and AfCON, he was deliberate about it.
“When I said we are going to host it this time, I knew it was going to be an uphill task because of time, but because I believed in our ability, capacity and our potential as a nation, today we can proudly say we are going to host CHAN,” he stated.
He said the country had the opportunity to host the continental tourney in 1996 and 2018 but failed because “we couldn’t assemble ourselves to do it.”
The Head of State also visited the Harambee Stars during their training session at the stadium, where he interacted with the players and the technical bench.
He wished them well in their preparations, encouraging them to fly the national flag high, noting the government was fully behind them.
Ruto told them that his presence at the stadium was to give them the necessary morale, reminding the players of their responsibility of representing 55 million Kenyans.
"That is why I have come here as President, to tell you guys we trust you,” he said, urging them to count on the unity of the leaders, saying they will be coming to the stadium to cheer them."
“The country is praying for you. We believe in you, your capacity and in your profession and will proudly cheer you," he added.
Without revealing any token if they win, Ruto told the players that Kenya must win.
“Bado kuna maneno tutawaambia na mimi nitawapanga vizuri,” he said.
