CS Murkomen issues update on Kasarani and Nyayo 3 weeks to CAF deadline
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.12.24. | 20:07
Murkomen assured the country that the two facilities would be ready for the continental assignment
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has updated the county on the progress of Kasarani and Nyayo Stadia, 21 days before the elapse of the deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The two main sporting facilities in the country have been closed for renovations in preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that Kenya is scheduled to co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
In a recent inspection by CAF, the two facilities were yet to be ready for CHAN and the African football governing body gave Kenya up to Tuesday 31 December 2024 to have them complete.
With the deadline fast approaching and the work still left immense, reports have indicated that Kenya may lose the hosting rights to Rwanda.
Murkomen assured the country that the two facilities would be ready for the continental assignment.
“Definitely we are hosting CHAN from 1st to 28th February. The schedule and draw are yet to be done by CAF.
We are burning the midnight oil to ensure that our facilities are ready. It is not easy and it has not been easy,” said Murkomen in an interview with NTV's Sport On.
The CS said that the contractors have confidence in doing whatever it takes to make the two facilities ready.
“I have been getting updates every three days and the contractors have assured me that they are going to do everything humanly possible to make sure that we beat the deadline.
The pressure between May and now has been extremely immense,” he added.
The former Senate majority leader also disclosed that some of the materials needed to complete the work are yet to arrive in the country but plans are underway to fasten their arrival by Christmas day.
“Some of the seats are in Mombasa, some are on the high seas on the way. Part of the roofing materials are here, part of it is on the way.
We have facilitated the contractor to see if we can fly some of the materials instead of coming by sea,” he stated.
The former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator also disclosed being in contact with CAF president Patrice Motsepe who has been supportive even as he reassured the country that Kenya remains to be a co-host of the tournament scheduled for February 2025.
“I am on a call with Motsepe and he will be here in a week’s time. I want to thank CAF for the positive support.
I want to assure Kenyans that we are hosting CHAN. There has never been a discussion of shifting hosting rights.”
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