AFCON 2027 to leave lasting infrastructure legacy, says Musonye

Speaking during an AFCON 2027 forum in Nairobi, Musonye said the tournament will leave Kenya with improved sporting facilities while creating opportunities in tourism and trade across the region.

Additionally, Musonye said infrastructure will be one of the biggest benefits Kenya derives from the tournament.

“There are many areas where we are going to benefit. One of them is infrastructure. We are going to have the best infrastructure in Africa.”

He cited the Raila Odinga International Stadium, the renovation of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and work on Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret as key projects.

The 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium is among the facilities being prepared for AFCON 2027, with construction now more than 92 percent complete.

Musonye added that the developments could eventually give Kenya the capacity to host the continental tournament on its own.

“And eventually, Kenya alone will be able to host AFCON in some time ten years to come,” he said.

He further said that the investment in stadiums and other sporting facilities is expected to have an impact beyond the 2027 tournament, giving Kenya improved venues for future international competitions and strengthening its ability to host major events.

“So in terms of benefits that we are going to derive out of AFCON, infrastructure is going to be the main one. And this is going to be a legacy that AFCON is going to leave behind for generations to come.”

However, the benefits will go beyond stadiums as the joint hosting arrangement will create wider economic opportunities for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“Apart from that, we are going to have the East African Community benefits: tourism, trade, and all that,” Musonye said.

He adds that AFCON can help strengthen regional ties, with the impact extending beyond the three host nations.

“So we are using AFCON to build the resilience of people in East Africa.”

Moreover, the tournament can bring countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia closer together as part of a wider East and Central African bloc.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time the continental tournament will be staged by three countries.

For Kenya, Musonye says the focus is therefore not only on successfully staging the tournament but also ensuring Pamoja AFCON leaves infrastructure and economic benefits that will serve the region well beyond 2027.