Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Salim Mvurya has firmly dismissed speculation over Kenya’s preparedness to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for August 2025, assuring the public that all preparations are on track.
Speaking during the official handover of the Raila Odinga Stadium to the National Celebrations Steering Committeeahead of Madaraka Day, CS Mvurya clarified that the ongoing inspection by Confederation of African Football (CAF)officials is a routine process and part of standard protocol for host nations.
“We had a meeting on Friday with the CAF officials because it is standard procedure for CAF to conduct periodic inspections up until the final day in July. In our discussions, we affirmed Kenya’s full readiness to host CHAN,” said Mvurya.
The inspections are designed to assess key components such as venue readiness, security, infrastructure, accommodation, and coordination frameworks to ensure the successful delivery of the continental football tournament.
Mvurya further underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to meeting all CAF requirements, noting that Kenya has made significant investments in infrastructure, including the upgrade of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, and has already paid the CHAN hosting fee of KES 1.6 billion.
“The ongoing assessments by CAF are routine and essential to ensure all host nations are in alignment with tournament standards,” he reiterated. “We urge the public to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise.”
The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks are expected to allay growing concerns and reaffirm Kenya’s readiness to host a successful and historic edition of CHAN, as the country positions itself as a premier destination for international sporting events.
