Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has dismissed reports circulating on social media and elsewhere suggesting that Kenya is not ready to co-host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), especially at key venues like Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani.
Speaking on Monday, Mvurya strongly affirmed that Kenya is on track to deliver a successful tournament in collaboration with regional co-hosts Tanzania and Uganda.
“I have seen in some of the social media pages, people saying that Kenya is not ready to host CHAN,” Mvurya stated. “That is not true. I want to confirm that Kenya is ready.”
He confirmed that his ministry held a meeting with CAF inspectors last Friday as part of the routine assessment process. CAF inspections, he noted, are ongoing and expected to continue until the final deadline in July — a standard practice before any major international football tournament.
“We have already paid Ksh1.6 billion as the hosting fee,” he said. “We are investing heavily in infrastructure, and all the processes are on track.”
Concerns about the preparedness of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums arose following recent reports that both venues had not yet met CAF standards. However, Mvurya reiterated that the ongoing construction and upgrades are progressing well and do not put the tournament in jeopardy.
“There is no cause for alarm. These are normal procedures. The narrative that Kenya might lose the hosting rights is false,” he said.
The CHAN tournament, now scheduled for August 2025, was postponed from its initial February date to allow more time for infrastructure readiness. It features only players from national leagues and is seen as a key platform for showcasing homegrown football talent.
Kenya last attempted to host CHAN in 2018 but lost the opportunity due to delays in stadium preparations. This time, the government appears committed to ensuring history does not repeat itself.
“I want to assure Kenyans that Kenya is ready to host CHAN. Let’s ignore misinformation,” Mvurya concluded.
CAF is expected to make a final inspection in July, ahead of the competition’s kickoff.
