NAIROBI, Kenya— Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Tanzania and Uganda are on track, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has assured Parliament, even as lawmakers called for adequate funding and stronger public health preparedness ahead of the continental tournament.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture on Tuesday, LOC Chairman Nicholus Musonye said Kenya remains on course to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements but appealed for additional resources to ensure successful delivery of the tournament.
Musonye, accompanied by AFCON Kenya CEO Anthony Lung’aho, told the committee that preparations are being undertaken through a whole-of-government approach involving key ministries, county governments and national agencies.
“This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and its implementation requires coordination across government institutions, including the ministries responsible for Sports, Interior, Health, Roads, Tourism, ICT, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Treasury and Transport,” Musonye said.
The committee heard that Talanta Sports City and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will serve as Kenya’s main tournament venues, while Kipchoge Keino Stadium has been designated as an alternative venue.
Musonye also outlined ongoing preparations within the health sector, saying the Ministry of Health and the LOC are establishing comprehensive medical systems to meet CAF standards.
The plans include fully equipped stadium medical facilities, ambulance services, referral hospitals, emergency evacuation procedures, anti-doping services and public health surveillance systems, all of which will undergo CAF readiness tests before the tournament.
However, members of the committee raised concerns over the country’s preparedness to respond to potential disease outbreaks during the competition.
Matungulu MP Stephen Mule questioned the absence of detailed plans for managing cross-border health risks, citing recent disease outbreaks in the region.
“As we speak, we are struggling with Ebola as a region, and epidemics cannot be predicted. A few years ago we had COVID-19, now it is Ebola. We do not know what comes next. I have not seen plans on border screening for people coming into Kenya during the tournament, yet this is very important,” Mule said.
In response, officials from the LOC said medical experts were already engaged on the matter and would develop appropriate response measures in consultation with relevant government agencies.
The committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, pledged to support efforts to secure sufficient funding to facilitate Kenya’s preparations for the tournament.
Kenya will co-host the 2027 AFCON with neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda, marking the first time the three East African nations will jointly stage Africa’s premier football championship.
