Kenya is positioning itself to host both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with officials saying preparations for the tournament have reached 80 per cent.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) says the near-completion of the new Talanta Raila Odinga Stadium has strengthened Kenya’s chances of securing the two major ceremonies.
LOC chairman and former CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye told Parliament’s Select Committee on Regional Integration that the stadium is now 95 per cent complete.
“We stand a good chance to host both the opening and closing ceremonies because the new Talanta Raila Odinga Stadium is at 95 per cent completion,” Musonye said.
He also pointed to Kenya’s security and hospitality facilities as other advantages that could work in the country’s favour when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) carries out its assessments.
“We also have good security and the best hotels in the region. We are confident that CAF will give us a good ranking when they come for the audit,” he said.
Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 with Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja AFCON arrangement. The tournament is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
The three countries are working together on stadiums, accommodation, security, transport, media facilities and other requirements needed for the continental tournament. They are also developing a common visa arrangement to make movement between the three host countries easier for fans and visitors.
The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports, Elija Mwangi, and members of the LOC assured MPs that Kenya is working to meet its responsibilities as one of the three host nations.
Parliament’s Select Committee said it was encouraged by the progress and pledged to continue monitoring the preparations.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka said Parliament would support the preparations and conduct inspections of stadiums in Kenya, with possible visits to facilities in Uganda and Tanzania.
“We have been following your preparations closely, and we just want to encourage you. We want to ensure that everything is on track,” Mayaka said.
Beyond the tournament itself, organisers believe AFCON 2027 could leave Kenya with improved sports facilities and wider economic opportunities.
Musonye said projects being undertaken for the tournament would strengthen the country’s ability to host major international sporting events in the future.
Among the key projects are the 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium, the renovation of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and work on Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
Musonye said the investment could eventually allow Kenya to host AFCON on its own.
“Eventually, Kenya alone will be able to host AFCON at some point, perhaps in the next 10 years,” he said.
He said the biggest long-term benefit would be the infrastructure being developed for the tournament.
“Infrastructure is going to be the main benefit. This is going to be a legacy that AFCON will leave behind for generations to come,” Musonye said.
The organisers also expect the tournament to boost tourism, trade and business across East Africa as thousands of fans and visitors move between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Musonye said the joint hosting could also strengthen regional cooperation beyond the three host countries.
“Apart from that, we are going to have the East African Community benefits — tourism, trade and all that,” he said.
With preparations now entering a critical stage, Kenya’s focus is on completing the remaining infrastructure and meeting CAF requirements as it seeks not only to host AFCON matches but also to secure the tournament’s opening and closing ceremonies.
