Visiting teams arrive at the JKIA ahead of the start of Chan tournament in Nairobi.Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged Kenyans to show hospitality and courtesy to visitors arriving in the country for the 2024 African Nations Championship.
The 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (Chan) kicks off this weekend.
“At long last, Chan is here with us,” Murkomen said. “Let’s be courteous to our visitors and make their experience in Kenya a memorable one.”
Kenya is co-hosting the tournament with Tanzania and Uganda from August 2 to August 30.
The opening match of Group B between Tanzania and Burkina Faso is scheduled for Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Kenya will open its Group A campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday at 3pm at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya is in Group A alongside DRC, Angola, Zambia and Morocco.
All Group A matches will be played at Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums.
Murkomen called on Kenyans to rally behind the Harambee Stars and turn up in large numbers, saying sports is an act of patriotism that unites the country.
“Let’s turn up in our numbers and get behind our national team—every voice in the stadium counts,” he said.
“Sports is an act of patriotism, and we must rise above sectarian interests and stand behind our team.”
He assured visitors and fans of their safety, stating that a multi-agency security operation had been activated to ensure smooth movement and full coverage of all sports venues.
“All security agencies are working in a multi-agency approach to make sure that they cover the entire city and sports facilities,” Murkomen said.
“We have put elaborate security arrangements in place to ensure safety and smooth movement for our visitors and us.”
Murkomen added that the Chan tournament is a key milestone for Kenya ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will also co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
“For Kenya, the Chan competition is like a curtain raiser for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
“Our preparations, including the security sector, are to test our capabilities and help us prepare ourselves for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.”
This year marks the first time Kenya is hosting continental football tournaments of this magnitude since the 1987 All-Africa Games, when the national team, led by John Bobby Ogolla, reached the final on home soil.
The Chan final will be held in Kenya, while the third-place playoff is scheduled to take place in Uganda.
Opening matches across the region are expected to attract large crowds and a festive atmosphere.
Historically, host nations have performed strongly in Chan openers, winning six of the seven tournament curtain-raisers to date.
The only exception was in 2009, when hosts Côte d’Ivoire lost 3-0 to Zambia.
“Let’s go Harambee Stars, we can do it!” Murkomen said, and urged Kenyans to take advantage of the business opportunities presented by the tournament.
