27/03/2026
CAF’s February inspection has exposed serious gaps in Kenya’s preparedness for the 2027 AFCON, with none of the proposed venues—Kasarani, Talanta Sports City, and Nyayo—currently meeting the required Category 4 standards.
At Kasarani, CAF flagged the need for major structural and operational upgrades. These include redesigning how fans move within the stadium to ensure proper separation, building modern hospitality sections such as VVIP and VIP areas and skyboxes, and relocating the Venue Operations Centre. The pitch itself must be completely rebuilt with proper drainage and irrigation, while a new high-intensity lighting system meeting 3000 lux broadcast standards is also required. Additionally, safety systems—CCTV, access control, and fire detection—must be enhanced, alongside a full upgrade of media facilities including the press conference room and media centre.
For Talanta Sports City, which is still under development, CAF’s concerns are more about planning and coordination. Authorities must finalize and validate spectator movement and segregation plans, confirm the exact location of the Venue Operations Centre, and ensure clear zoning for teams, officials, and the media. There is also a need for proper coordination in installing critical systems such as lighting, backup power, and safety infrastructure.
Nyayo National Stadium, on the other hand, faces a different challenge—age. CAF noted that the facility’s infrastructure is outdated, and more critically, there is no comprehensive renovation master plan on record. Given the tight timelines, CAF has advised Kenya to realistically consider Nyayo as a training venue rather than a match venue.
Compounding the situation, Kenya has yet to pay the required hosting fee of Ksh 3.9 billion. Meanwhile, concerns are not limited to Kenya alone—Uganda’s Hoima Stadium is also reportedly behind schedule and has not yet met CAF standards.
In short, both infrastructure readiness and financial commitments remain key hurdles as the clock ticks toward 2027.