KENYA has stepped up its preparations to jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the continental showpiece gather pace just less than a year.
Officials told a parliamentary committee at the weekend that the country was well positioned to stage the two flagship events, citing progress on the new 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi.
Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye said the stadium had reached about 95 per cent completion, adding that Kenya’s security arrangements and hospitality infrastructure could strengthen its case when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts its final assessment.
Sports authorities said the country had reached about 80 per cent overall preparedness which officials described as an important benchmark ahead of the tournament.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya had earlier said the stadium was expected to be ready for use in November, with its main football pitch already completed.
Kenya will jointly host AFCON 2027 with Tanzania and Uganda under the “Pamoja” arrangement.
The tournament is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, with the three countries also working together on security, hospitality, broadcasting and a common visa system to ease movement during the competition.
