Musonye makes plea to government ahead of hosting 2027 AFCON
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 30.06.26. | 20:32
The legislators challenged the LOC to accelerate the implementation of critical projects as CAF continues monitoring the progress made by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania ahead of the continental showpiece
Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has urged the government to embrace a whole-of-government approach in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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He warned that the Ministry of Sports cannot shoulder the responsibility of delivering Africa's biggest football tournament alone.
Appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture at Bunge Towers on Tuesday, Musonye said Kenya's success in co-hosting the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania will depend on seamless coordination among ministries, State departments and government agencies tasked with delivering different aspects of the event.
"AFCON is a huge undertaking. For us to succeed, we have brought together ministries and coordinating agencies because delivery can only be achieved through a whole-of-government approach," Musonye told the committee.
He explained that the ministries responsible for Interior, Health, Roads, Tourism, ICT, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, the National Treasury, Transport and Sports all have distinct but equally important responsibilities in ensuring Kenya meets the Confederation of African Football (CAF) timelines.
"The integrated approach enables timely decision-making and coordinated implementation of cross-cutting activities. Every ministry has a responsibility, with the Ministry of Sports serving as the coordinating agency," he added.
Despite the magnitude of the task ahead, Musonye expressed confidence in Kenya's ability to host the influx of players, match officials and supporters expected during the tournament, pointing to the country's well-established hospitality industry as one of its biggest advantages.
Drawing from the ongoing preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), he noted that Kenya had more than enough hotel capacity despite extensive planning for the continental tournament.
"Accommodation and hospitality are where our strength lies. Kenya is among the best countries in Africa when it comes to hospitality. We had a surplus of hotels during CHAN preparations, so we are well covered," he said.
According to Musonye, Nairobi alone has sufficient quality accommodation spread across the central business district, Westlands and other key areas, meaning lodging is unlikely to be a challenge when AFCON kicks off in 2027.
Even with those assurances, members of the parliamentary committee maintained that the timely completion of stadium infrastructure remains the country's biggest assignment before the tournament.
The legislators challenged the LOC to accelerate the implementation of critical projects as CAF continues monitoring the progress made by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania ahead of the continental showpiece.