NAIROBI – President William Ruto on Tuesday inspected the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and confirmed that the stadium is fully prepared to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off on August 3.
The visit came after months of extensive upgrades at the 60,000-seat stadium to meet international standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. The renovations are part of Kenya’s broader preparations for CHAN 2024 and the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
“Today, we can proudly say that we are going to host CHAN on August 3,” President Ruto announced during the inspection.
The President addressed the national team, Harambee Stars, who are currently training at the stadium ahead of the tournament. He assured the players of the government’s full backing and called on them to represent Kenya with honor and determination.
“We believe in you. We trust you. We believe in your capacity and potential, and we will proudly cheer you to victory,” Ruto said.
The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani refurbishment focused on improving pitch quality, lighting, player facilities, media areas, and fan seating to meet international match-day standards. CAF officials are expected to conduct a final inspection later this month before officially approving the venue for the competition.
Kenya was previously stripped of hosting rights for the 2018 CHAN tournament due to unprepared venues. The President’s visit was seen as a final confirmation of the government’s commitment to avoiding a repeat of that setback.
Kenya will field a squad composed of local league players, as per CHAN tournament rules. Harambee Stars are scheduled to play the tournament opener in Nairobi, with group-stage matches also planned at other venues under preparation in Eldoret and Kisumu.
CHAN is Africa’s second-tier international tournament, featuring national teams made up exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues. It offers lesser-known talents a platform to showcase their skills at a continental level.
President Ruto’s administration has made major sports infrastructure development a key part of its agenda ahead of Kenya’s co-hosting duties for AFCON 2027. The Ministry of Sports has pledged that all venues under renovation, including Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Nyayo Stadium, will be completed in time for use.
With the spotlight now firmly on Nairobi, fans are expected to turn out in large numbers to support the home team. Ticketing and match logistics will be released by the Football Kenya Federation in the coming days.
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