Talanta, Kasarani to be ready for Afcon 2027 by end of July, says Sports PS Elijah Mwangi

Sports PS Elijah Mwangi/ HANDOUT

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has confirmed that Talanta Stadium and Moi Stadium, Kasarani, will be completed by the end of July as Kenya steps up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking during a CAF and Local Organising Committee Security Workshop at Kasarani, Mwangi said: “The works at the Raila Odinga International Stadium or Talanta Stadium are progressing well. At the moment we are past 88 per cent. We expect the stadium to be ready by the end of June.”

He explained that the remaining works involve auxiliary infrastructure required to meet CAF standards, including access roads, training grounds and other facilities within the Talanta complex.

“We also have other auxiliary services that need to be done and which are still ongoing,” Mwangi said. “This includes the road networks, playing fields within the Talanta ecosystem and other areas identified by CAF technical officials.”

The two-day workshop in organised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and brings brought together officials from the Ministry of Sports, Football Kenya Federation, Confederation of African Football and national security agencies including the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Defence Forces and the National Anti-Terrorism Centre.

Mwangi added that renovations are also ongoing at Kasarani, one of the key venues earmarked for the tournament. The old turf has already been removed as work begins on installing a new one.

Mwangi said the stadium’s pitch should be ready by July.

“We expect the playing field at Kasarani to be done and ready by July,” he added.

Beyond infrastructure, Kenyan authorities are also focusing heavily on security and operational readiness.

Mwangi described security as a critical component in delivering a successful Afcon and that the workshop will help identify gaps that must be addressed before 2027.

“This workshop is very important in delivering a CAF-compliant football event where security is a central pillar,” he said. “This meeting is important to deliberate on gaps we need to fill.”

“If they propose we need to redo the perimeter walls or undertake more training, those are the areas we shall address.”

Areas of concern include crowd control, traffic management, border security, airport and port operations, matchday coordination, training venue protection and VIP safety.