Kenya’s ambition to deliver a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament has encountered fresh scrutiny following concerns raised over the condition and ongoing renovation of Kasarani Stadium.
A team of senators has questioned whether the Nairobi-based facility will be fully prepared to welcome Africa’s top football nations, with particular attention drawn to construction progress, public access and safety arrangements.
The concerns emerged on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. The delegation, headed by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, visited the stadium to establish whether the renovation programme was progressing as expected ahead of the December 31 completion deadline.
Among the issues discussed was the need to make the venue more accessible to all spectators. Nominated Senator Crystal Asige challenged those overseeing the project to consider the needs of persons with disabilities when improving the stadium’s facilities.
Fire protection also became a major talking point during the visit. Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku questioned the reliability of the stadium’s emergency systems after Nairobi County officials disclosed that fire hydrants had previously been found without water.
Such concerns have placed additional pressure on the construction team to ensure that the facility is not only visually improved but also capable of providing a safe environment for players, officials and supporters.
Major Daniel Makana, who heads the project team, nevertheless expressed confidence that the remaining renovation work would be completed within the agreed schedule.
Kasarani is expected to play an important role in Kenya’s AFCON 2027 hosting arrangements. The stadium can accommodate approximately 48,000 spectators and is among the country’s designated tournament venues.
It will be complemented by Raila Odinga International Stadium, popularly known as Talanta Sports City, which is projected to accommodate 60,000 fans.
However, completing construction alone will not guarantee the venues approval to stage continental matches. Both facilities must first satisfy CAF’s Category Four requirements, which assess everything from pitch conditions and lighting to spectator protection, dressing rooms and media infrastructure.
The challenge extends beyond Kenya. An assessment conducted by CAF in February 2026 established that none of the proposed venues across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania had satisfied every requirement at the time.
Although Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi later reported positive developments following another inspection in September, he cautioned that the progress recorded was not equivalent to final approval.
With the handover deadline drawing closer, the latest Senate inspection has brought renewed attention to the work still required.
