CAF Expresses Concern Over Kenya’s Stadium Readiness Ahead of CHAN Tournament

Inspection team finds major venues behind schedule with just over two months to kickoff

Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) have come under scrutiny from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with inspection officials expressing disappointment over the current state of tournament venues.

The CAF delegation, led by federation Third Vice President Pierre Alain Mounguengui, conducted an assessment tour last week and found several facilities significantly behind schedule, raising concerns about Kenya’s readiness to co-host the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania from August 2-30.

The most pressing concern centers on Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, designated as a key training venue, where construction crews are still leveling the ground with heavy machinery.

Sources familiar with the inspection revealed that grass has yet to be planted on the pitch, creating a timeline challenge given that new turf requires approximately two months to become match-ready.

“These guys think that we are big jokers on earth,” said an anonymous source who participated in the inspection tour. “How can we say that we are on the right track when we have caterpillars on the pitch still leveling the ground?”

The CAF team expected to find venues in final preparation stages rather than ongoing major construction work. Of the designated training facilities—including Ulinzi Sports Complex, Police Sacco Stadium, and two pitches at Kasarani—only Ulinzi Sports Complex was deemed close to completion.

A significant technical concern identified during the inspection was the absence of floodlighting at most training venues. CAF officials noted this as a “major concern” that requires immediate attention, as proper lighting is essential for evening training sessions and potential broadcast requirements.

The main competition venues—Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani—also face pending installations including floodlights, giant screens, and LED boards. At Nyayo Stadium, construction of a perimeter wall remains ongoing.

Sources attributed the construction delays to funding challenges, revealing that main contractors have not received payments, creating a cascading effect that prevents subcontractors from accelerating their work.

This financial bottleneck has slowed progress across multiple venues despite the approaching deadline.

Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye acknowledged the Kirigiti Stadium situation while expressing confidence in the main venues’ readiness.

“The only challenge we are facing is the Kirigiti training venue, but we hope it will be ready for use by the end of July,” Musonye stated.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya defended Kenya’s preparations, citing the government’s Ksh 1.6 billion hosting fee payment and significant infrastructure investments.

“There should be no cause for alarm,” Mvurya said during a Monday event in Homa Bay County.

The 2024 CHAN, featuring 19 teams including the three host nations, showcases players competing exclusively in their domestic leagues.

The tournament has already faced multiple postponements—originally scheduled for September 2024, then February 2025, before settling on the current August dates.

Kenya’s hosting capabilities remain under international scrutiny, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the larger 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, budget documents reveal that the required Ksh 3.9 billion for the 2027 AFCON rights fee was omitted from the 2025-2026 budget allocation, adding another layer of concern to Kenya’s continental football hosting ambitions.

With just over two months remaining before kickoff, Kenya faces a race against time to address CAF’s concerns and demonstrate its capability to successfully co-host major continental football competitions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​