Jalang’o Raises Questions About Nairobi’s Capacity to Host AFCON

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has questioned Nairobi County’s preparedness to host the African Cup of Nations AFCON in 2027.

In statement on his X account, the youthful legislator wondered whether the city has state of the art hotels that can host the participating Nations during the much-anticipated showpiece. 

“Forget about Eldoret, Kisumu or Kakamega hosting AFCON, Is Nairobi even ready?”, said Jalang’o.

Also Read: Protests Erupt After Kenya Wins Joint AFCON Bid

Jalang’o further explained the need of thirty-two top hotels to be used if Kenya is to host the opening ceremony raising questions on Nairobi County readiness.

“If we host the opening ceremony, do you know we will need thirty-two top hotels to host the participating nations? “, asked Jalang’o.

Additionally, the legislator joked on where top player Mane as well as fans would sleep if Kisumu and Kakamega counties were to host the tournament. 

“The fans? Kakamega asking to host AFCON? Where will Mane sleep? Kakamega Golf or ValuValu?”, said Jalang’o.

AFCON Past Event in Kenya

However, to avoid a repeat of the 1996 Afcon and 2018 CHAN embarrassment where the country lost the hosting rights of the two major events to South Africa and Morocco respectively due to unpreparedness, the country is under pressure to fast-track the renovation of Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino stadiums to meet international standards.

Through a joint EAC Pamoja bid, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda beat Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, and Botswana to win the hosting rights.

AFCON Hosting venues in Kenya 

Governors from two counties in Western Kenya have raised questions and concerns over the venues for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in the three East African countries in 2027.

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa castigated the government for sidelining Western Kenya, yet it was Kenya’s home for sports. 

Also Read: Blunders That Cost Kenya AFCON 1996 Hosting Rights After Winning Bid

“Western Kenya should have been included with either matches being held in Kisumu or Kakamega,” they said.

The governors said the Western region is where football fans exist in enormous numbers and not in Uashin Gishu, or Eldoret for that matter.

“The success of the matches will be on the turn-up at the stadium where the matches will be held,” they said.

“Eldoret has athletes and athletic fans in millions. But not soccer. And that is the naked truth.”

They further said due to the above, the AFCON matches will be played in empty stadiums with insignificant impact.

At the same time, the governors said the decision may be denying the Western region the opportunity to host the games because they are not shareholders in the Kenya Kwanza government.