Venue Crisis Hits Kenyan Clubs Over Imminent Closure of Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums

Kenyan clubs are staring at a venue crisis yet again just months after the significant setback hit them hard.

This is following an announcement by Sports Kenya that Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums will be closed soon for renovations geared towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

This is not the first time for Kenyan sides as the two facilities have been shut on several occasions for renovations and the most recent one was from 2024 to 2025 ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) which was staged last August.

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After the tournament, the two facilities, as well as the Kasarani Annex, were opened to Kenyan clubs for use with Gor Mahia using Kasarani as their home while AFC Leopards moved back to Nyayo.

However, from this weekend, the clubs will have to find another venue after Sports Kenya Director General Gabriel Komora made it clear renovations will start soon.

“We are commencing renovations at both Nyayo and Kasarani to make them ready for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, and therefore, they will not be available for use as of February,” Komora said in a statement to the media last week.

“Morocco put up an incredible tournament and we had a chance to learn from them during the just concluded event. We will do everything possible to match what we saw there.”

It leaves Kenyan sides scratching their heads again given the limited options available when Kasarani and Nyayo are removed from the equation.

During CHAN 2024 renovations, Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos and Nairobi’s Dandora Stadium were the most preferred by Nairobi-based teams, or those from the outskirts of the city, due to their proximity as well as the fact that players do not have to travel for long while clubs spend less.

However, the two facilities were overused with the Machakos Stadium turf becoming bumpy and muddy at times, making action difficult.

It is for this reason that Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani wants his team and Gor Mahia, the two oldest clubs in Kenya, to wake up from their slumber and put up facilities of their own.

“The government is moving close to shutting down Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani for AFCON preparations. That leaves the two clubs without a place to call their own home,” Ambani told Flashscore.

“It’s just simple in life, when you have your own thatched house, nobody will tell you what time to wake up or sleep. You’ll do what you want without any worry.”

In the meantime, it is a rush against time to book alternative venues for the clubs with one key fixture, the Mashameji Derby pitting Leopards and Gor Mahia set to be played on April 26, also put in doubt.

The game was played outside Nairobi for the first time last June, when Gor Mahia welcomed Ingwe at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, and it could return there unless a suitable venue is found in time.

Kasarani Stadium staged its most recent match on Sunday when Nairobi United hosted Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club in the CAF Confederation Cup while Nyayo will host the HSBC 2 Sevens tournament on February 14 and 15.