Will Kenya clear all hurdles and deliver stadiums in good time?

Aerial view of Kasarani stadium on 2nd May 2019 during the surveillance duties by Kenya police via helicopter accompanied by journalists.[Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

Kenya’s pursuit of world-class sporting facilities has been close, yet so far.

Various missteps, false starts, and faltering have dominated the country’s quest to establish stadiums that can host international competitions.

On Monday, the Cabinet approved the upgrading of three stadiums – Nyayo National Stadium and Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, as well as Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, setting the ball rolling in another expedition ostensibly aimed at elevating the facilities to meet the standards of Confederation of African Football (Caf) ahead of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Kenya was last month awarded co-hosting rights for the 2027 edition, the continent's top football contest.

The country will co-host Africa’s premier football competition jointly with Uganda and Tanzania under the East Africa Pamoja bid.

Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe announced the East Africa "Pamoja" Bid as the winner of the rights to host the football contest after the Caf Executive Committee's meeting in Cairo, Egypt on September 27.

The hosting rights prompted the Ministry of Sports to hand over the upgrading of the facilities to the Kenya Defense Forces in a bid to fast-track its completion.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba fronted the facelift on Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in the bid, while Uganda pitched for Namboole Stadium as Tanzania presented Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Chamazi Complex (home to Azam FC), and the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, among other facilities as a guarantee.

“In a bid to elevate Kenya's standing as a sporting powerhouse, the Cabinet approved various construction and renovation projects of facilities for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027,” the Kenyan Cabinet said in a dispatch from Kisumu on Monday.

Observers described the Cabinet's move as a glimmer of hope in the long journey to build modern stadia.

Kenya will, however, have to fast-track the delivery of the proposed state-of-the-art facilities.

Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, which will host the 2023 Afcon in January, is a sight to behold.

Morocco won the rights to host the 2025 Afcon after Nigeria and Algeria withdrew their bids.

“The ambitious plan includes building the Talanta Sports Complex (Jamhuri, Nairobi) and extensive renovations of Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium,” the Cabinet dispatch read in part.

The Cabinet further said in the approval that; “The Renovation efforts for Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadia will include pitch rehabilitation, enhanced facilities, ICT infrastructure and canopy installation.”

Kenya is also in the race to maintain international standards in its existing facilities to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in September 2024; the CECAFA Under-18 Championship in November 2023; and the AFCON Under -15 (Pan- African Schools Football) CECAFA Region Championship in December 2023 in addition to 2027 Afcon.

“The administration’s signature project under this initiative will be the Talanta Sports Complex; a 60,000-seater football stadium featuring ample parking, world-class training pitches, an arena, and a dedicated public transport terminus,” the Government's topmost decision-making organ said.