Murkomen confident Kenya will host CHAN 2024

Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen (centre) flanked by FKF President Hussein Mohamed address after unveiling the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee LOC at Talanta Plaza on December 10, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, has dismissed growing doubts about the country's preparedness to co-host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Speaking during the inauguration of the CHAN and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi, on December 10, Murkomen insisted that Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, remains on course to meet the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) hosting requirements.

"We have put ourselves under immense pressure. Kasarani was built from 1983 to 1987. It became ready just a few months to the All African Games. History teaches us as a country that we have done better when pushing ourselves to host events. It is this kind of pressure that has had the county have two major facilities that have lasted more close or more than 40 years. The debate about our readiness is healthy, but we must appreciate we are doing this under pressure," he said.

The rights to host CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027 were awarded to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in September 2023 following a successful joint bid branded as the "East Africa Pamoja Bid." The bid outperformed those of football powerhouses like Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria, highlighting East Africa's ambition to position itself as a football hub.

The tournament, slated for February 1-28, 2025, marks a critical opportunity for the region to demonstrate its capability to host high-profile football events. However, progress has been uneven, with Kenya's infrastructure raising the most concerns.

Infrastructure Challenges

CAF has given Kenya until December 31, 2024, to ensure that its stadiums meet international standards. While Uganda's Mandela National Stadium and Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium reportedly meet requirements, Kenya faces significant challenges. Murkomen admitted that the overhaul of Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium, one of only two proposed venues, is behind schedule.

"We are doing everything humanly possible to deliver quality infrastructure in time for the CHAN and AFCON. I know many people are concerned, I am too. We have had meetings with contractors. We are relying on their word, in terms of commitment that they will deliver on time," he said.

CAF inspectors have been visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania frequently to monitor progress. On social media, unverified reports suggest that Tanzania and Uganda are ahead in preparations, leaving Kenya under pressure to catch up.

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the recent Football Kenya Federation (FKF) election. Over the weekend, a new leadership team was voted in, with Hussein Mohammed as the new FKF President. Murkomen expressed confidence in the federation's new leadership, emphasizing their collaboration as key to Kenya's success.

"I am confident in Hussein Mohammed's team. They are individuals I have assessed and believe we can work with transparency and accountability to push our football forward. We will do our best, but we rely on your support as CAF," he told Mohamed.

Leadership and coordination

The government has formed a National Steering Committee to oversee preparations for CHAN and AFCON. The LOC, chaired by former CECAFA Secretary-General Nicholas Musonye and deputized by FKF President Hussein Mohammed, is tasked with streamlining efforts across multiple agencies.

The CHAN and AFCON secretariat, housed at Talanta Plaza under the Ministry of Sports, will be headed by Mike Rabar, with FKF's representative serving as deputy. The 36-member multi-agency team includes notable figures such as former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob "Ghost" Mulee.

Kenya's history with hosting major football tournaments is checkered. In 1996, the country was stripped of the AFCON hosting rights due to inadequate preparations. A similar scenario unfolded in 2018 when Morocco replaced Kenya as the CHAN host because of substandard facilities.

Despite scepticism, Murkomen remains confident that Kenya will fulfil its hosting obligations.

Cases of Kenya being stripped from hosting high-ranking tournaments are not new to the country as in 1996 we lost the AFCON hosting bid to South Africa. Also in 2018, we lost CHAN hosting rights to Morocco who were well prepared and equipped with world-class facilities.