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The Sports CS is keen to see Kakamega host an AFCON game in 2027 after the huge turnout during the National Secondary School Games
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba wants Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium to host some Africa Cup of Nations matches if Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania’s bid for the 2027 tournament is successful.
The three countries submitted their bid, christened EAC Pamoja Bid in May for consideration with Algeria, Egypt and Botswana the other competing nations and they are keeping fingers crossed that they will convince the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to hand them the hosting rights.
Now Namwaba says he wants to see the Western Kenya town play host to some matches following the huge number of fans who turned up to witness the National Secondary School games that took place at the Bukhungu Stadium this week.
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12:47 - 12.08.2023
FOOTBALL Kakamega governor reveals the millions allocated for Bukhungu Stadium completion
The county boss is keen to see the stadium given a new face after construction work stalled in 2018
With the Kakamega county government having set aside Ksh570 million for the completion of the stadium, the CS has promised the national government’s support over the same, saying the facility will be given a new face so that it can start by hosting next year’s East Africa Secondary School games before the AFCON extravaganza.
“We have already agreed with the governor that he will continue the bit the county started and the ministry of Sports will complete the rest of the stadium,” Namwamba said on Saturday after the boys’ football final which St Anthony’s Kitale won after beating Dagoretti High School 2-0.
“So, between the national and county government, we will finish Bukhungu Stadium so that we can host the East Africa Games here.
“And because we are bidding for AFCON 2027, if we are successful in that bidding, Kakamega has proven that it is a worthy location for an AFCON game.”
Namwamba’s pronouncement, however, goes against Kenya’s plan for the 2027 AFCON tournament, having submitted Kasarani, Nyayo and Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadiums as venues the country intends to use to host the continental tournament.
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12:52 - 09.08.2023
AFCON 2027 REPORTS: Kenya contemplating a bid for CHAN 2023 to boost Pamoja 2027 chances
CAF’s silence about the CHAN 2024 hosts could lend credence to the reports bearing in mind that the bid was opened concurrently with the CAF Women’s Champions League.
This was also confirmed by the visits to the three facilities by CAF inspectors who toured Kenya last week to check of the conditions of the facilities earmarked to host the tournament.
It is not, therefore, clear how Bukhungu will be slotted in but Western Kenya fans will be hoping that the promise can become a reality.
Renovation works at Bukhungu began in 2013 and made decent progress but was halted in 2018 after a contemporary VIP stand equipped with a modern office block and facilities, was constructed.
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16:53 - 26.07.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba sets deadline for completion of Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino stadium renovation
The Sports Cabinet Secretary is determined to ensure the facilities are ready by the stipulated time with work set to continue even if 2027 AFCON bid fails
The foundation has already been laid for the construction of versatile terraces encircling the stadium, coupled with a roof for added comfort and weather protection.
The impending completion of this phase promises a venue that can hold up to 30,000 individuals. The development plan encompasses the installation of a high-quality tartan track, facilitating track and field competitions, and accommodating large-scale events beyond football.
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