The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium and Kip Keino stadiums have been closed for renovations as Kenya seeks to be ready to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania made a joint bid to host the AFCON tournament and the three countries are working around the clock to get the organiser’s go-ahead, to host the 2027 event.
While making the announcement on Tuesday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said the closure of the facilities will pave way for renovations which will be undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces.
“We are doing this because of time, we are extremely pressed for time. We must beat very strict deadlines in delivery. We are also doing this because we want discipline and efficiency, top tier discipline and efficiency. We want precision and we believe that the ministry of defence ticks all those boxes,” he said.
CS Ababu Namwamba further noted: ‘’We want to send a message to the Confederation of African Football that the East Africa Pamoja bid is a strong bid. Tanzania is ready, Uganda is ready and Kenya is ready. In terms of readiness we have given a deadline of 2025 to complete these facilities.”
Namwamba also said the Government will put up Talanta Stadium, a new multi-million football-rugby 50,000 seater at the Jamhuri Sports Complex, Nairobi.
The CS added the design of the Talanta Stadium that has three levels, draws its concept from the shield and two spears that are Kenya’s national emblem and will only host football, rugby and concerts but not athletics.
