Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations have taken a major turn after the government officially confirmed that Kipchoge Keino Stadium has been dropped from the country’s hosting plans.
The announcement was made by Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who revealed that progress at the Eldoret-based facility remains far below expectations and is now incapable of meeting the timelines required for the continental tournament.
According to the Sports Ministry, the stadium is currently only 18 percent complete, a figure that effectively rules it out as a venue for the tournament that Kenya will co-host alongside neighboring countries.
The latest development means Kenya’s AFCON 2027 matches will now be concentrated entirely in Nairobi, shifting focus to facilities deemed more likely to meet completion and certification deadlines ahead of the competition.
Under the revised plan, matches are expected to be staged at Talanta Sports City and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, which have emerged as Kenya’s principal match venues.
Meanwhile, Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex will be designated as training facilities for participating teams.
The decision represents a major setback for Eldoret, which had initially been expected to play a key role in Kenya’s contribution to the East African hosting arrangement for the tournament.
When Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania won the rights to host the 2027 edition of AFCON under the Pamoja AFCON 2027 initiative, expectations were high that several regions beyond Nairobi would benefit from infrastructure upgrades, tourism activity and increased economic opportunities.
Questions surrounding the pace of work at Kipchoge Keino Stadium had surfaced repeatedly over recent months, with concerns growing over whether the project could realistically be completed in time.
The move to centralize Kenya’s hosting responsibilities in Nairobi could allow resources and attention to be directed toward ensuring the remaining facilities are completed and tested on time.
