Senate Committee demands targeted upgrades for Nyayo Stadium

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has called for targeted upgrades at Nyayo National Stadium as preparations accelerate for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), emphasising that several key areas must be addressed before the venue fully meets continental standards.

Following a comprehensive site inspection on Tuesday, the committee led by Chairperson Senator Recha Julius Murgor, assessed the facility’s overall condition, ongoing and outstanding civil works, occupational health and safety protocols, accessibility, and security measures essential for hosting a major international tournament.

While acknowledging that the stadium remains in generally good shape, committee members noted critical gaps.

They emphasized that the evaluation went beyond physical structures, aiming to ensure that robust measures are established to guarantee the safety and convenience of spectators, players, and match officials.

The committee urged the Ministry of Labour and the Nairobi County Government to take an active role in planning, while highlighting the need for direct coordination with security agencies and the fire department to bolster emergency preparedness.

Engagements with the fire department are deemed essential to evaluate disaster response protocols, while law enforcement agencies will be tasked with securing matchdays.

Accessibility for persons with disabilities was another primary concern. The committee noted that key areas require immediate structural adjustments, such as installing dedicated ramps and improving access routes.

Ensuring the venue comfortably accommodates all spectators formed a central part of the broader occupational safety and inclusivity review.

Additionally, members highlighted the need for standardized facilities across the venue to meet strict tournament mandates.

“Attention needs to be paid to standardisation. Otherwise, we are ready and pleased as a committee. We are going to forward the issues to the ministry headquarters and ensure they are solved,” said Senator Murgor.

On the playing surface, lawmakers pressed for strict adherence to project timelines, receiving assurances that the pitch will be tournament-ready by the end of the year.

Completing this work promptly will afford Kenya ample time to fine-tune operations well ahead of AFCON 2027, which the country is co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

“They will do everything so that by the end of the year the pitch is ready.”

“We assure Kenyans that all the requirements that have been put in place, we are going to fulfil,” added Murgor.