Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has urged the government to adopt a whole-of-government approach to preparations for the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), warning that the Ministry of Sports cannot deliver the continental showpiece on its own.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture at Bunge Towers on Tuesday, Musonye said Kenya’s readiness to co-host the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania will depend on coordinated action across multiple ministries and government agencies
“AFCON is a huge undertaking. For us to succeed, we have brought together ministries and coordinating agencies because delivery can only be achieved through a whole-of-government approach,” Musonye told the committee
He said ministries responsible for Interior, Health, Roads, Tourism, ICT, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, the National Treasury, Transport and Sports all have critical roles to play in ensuring the country meets the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deadlines
“The integrated approach enables timely decision-making and coordinated implementation of cross-cutting activities. Every ministry has a responsibility, with the Ministry of Sports serving as the coordinating agency,” he added
Musonye, however, expressed confidence in Kenya’s ability to accommodate the thousands of players, officials and supporters expected during the tournament, describing the country’s hospitality sector as one of its biggest strengths
He cited the recent preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), saying hotel capacity exceeded demand despite extensive planning
“Accommodation and hospitality is where our strength lies. Kenya is among the best countries in Africa when it comes to hospitality. We had a surplus of hotels during CHAN preparations, so we are well covered,” he said
He noted that Nairobi has an abundance of quality hotels spread across the city centre and Westlands, insisting accommodation would not pose a challenge during AFCON
While lawmakers welcomed the assurance on hospitality, attention remained focused on the timely completion of stadium infrastructure, which remains the biggest hurdle in Kenya’s preparations
The committee challenged the LOC to accelerate implementation of key projects as CAF continues monitoring progress across the three co-hosting nations. Beyond stadiums, the inter-agency team is also expected to finalise visa facilitation measures, tax exemptions for broadcasting equipment and cross-border coordination with Uganda and Tanzania ahead of the 2027 finals
