•The delegation began an inspection of Kenya's preparedness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) jointly with Uganda and Tanzania under the East Africa Pamoja Bid.
•The CS also explained the infrastructure master plan that the government has in place to make the sports projects a success.
Image: HANDOUT
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has expressed confidence that the country's stadiums will be ready in time for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Namwamba said they were working around the clock to deliver cutting-edge facilities for the premier continental football showpiece.
"We have very clear timelines. Among the things that determine the success of a bid is the timelines. Everything has to be time-bound, everything has to have clear budgets, and we have figured out everything coherently and we believe that we are good to go," Namwamba said.
"You are aware we have already advertised. The bids will open on August 17 and the work will start immediately thereafter. We believe by 2025, we shall have met most of our targets," he added.
The CS said a plan has been put in place to allow national teams to use the facilities for training as refurbishing continues.
"We shall be closing these facilities, some longer than the others but even as we close, we shall factor in the reality that some of them will be needed for the qualifiers and preparations of the national teams."
Namwamba made the remarks after conducting a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on a tour of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums on Wednesday.
The delegation began an inspection of Kenya's preparedness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) jointly with Uganda and Tanzania under the East Africa Pamoja Bid.
The two-day inspection kicked off with a meeting between the Caf delegation and Ministry of Sports officials before a tour of Moi Stadium, Kasarani later in the day.
The team then proceeded to Nyayo Stadium and wrapped up the day with a tour of the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata.
The delegation will be in Eldoret on Thursday morning to inspect the Kipchoge Keino Stadium and will then proceed to Stadium 64, the University of Eldoret grounds.
In the afternoon, the team will visit the Eldoret Referral Hospital before concluding the mission with an inspection of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from 7.30 pm.
Namwamba said the government is making a valiant effort to regain Caf’s confidence after Kenya failed to follow through when it acquired the rights to host the 2018 Chan Cup
“Kenya has long desired to host this competition. We’ve made arrangements to assure that we won’t fail again after missing out on another chance earlier. We are now well aware of the standards required to host such a tournament,” Ababu stated.
The CS also explained the infrastructure master plan that the government has in place to make the sports projects a success.
He disclosed the government’s blueprints to get local stadiums ready for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“We have the infrastructure master plan, which shows how far along we are in the planning process. The standardization of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums would be shown in the plan, along with any unfinished construction projects, according to Ababu.
Namwamba said comprehensive refurbishment would be done at Nyayo Stadium to meet the minimum standard required by the world football governing body, Fifa.
“It is one of the three stadiums in Kenya that we are suggesting be used for the 2027 Afcon. We are working on all the essential parts including fixing the floodlights to make it possible to host nighttime matches without any difficulties.”
Earlier in the year, President William Ruto officially unveiled Kenya’s bid to host the premier annual continental showpiece jointly with Uganda and Tanzania.
The CS was flanked by FKF president Nick Mwendwa, Sports PS Peter Tum, and Sports Kenya director general Pius Metto among other topnotch officials.