Fact Check: CAF Reveals Truth Behind Kenya Losing CHAN Hosting Rights to Rwanda

An official from CAF has clearly stated the status of Kenya’s hosting rights of the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN).

On Monday, December 9, reports were rife that the country had lost hosting rights to Rwanda due to unpreparedness ahead of the tournament set to kick off from Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28, 2025.

Speculation was, however, put to bed on Tuesday as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Host Country Manager Kabelo Bosilong refuted claims that Kenya had been stripped of the rights to host the prestigious competition.

“We’ve been hearing a lot on social media about where this t

ournament is ending up. I want to assure everyone that it is CAF’s commitment to make sure that this tournament takes place in the countries it was intended to take place,” Bosilong said on Tuesday.

Kenya won the right to host the tournament alongside her East African counterparts Uganda and Tanzania.

Subsequently, the country settled on the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium to host the matches with Nyayo being considered an alternative as well.

There was initial uncertainty on which stadium in the country would host the games but the Ministry ultimately settled on the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium.

CAF had set a December 31 deadline for all three countries to ensure stadiums meet the required standards, but Kenya has lagged behind, sparking concern about whether the country will have infrastructure that is up to international standards when the deadline lapses.

Despite the setbacks, Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has insisted the Kasarani stadium will be ready in time for the CHAN games.

“We are definitely hosting CHAN from February 1 to February 28, 2025. The schedule and team allocations are yet to be finalized, but we are burning the midnight oil to ensure our facilities are ready,” Murkomen insisted on Monday, December 9.

“Contractors have assured us they will do everything humanly possible to beat the deadline.”

This is not the first time Kenya has been embroiled in drama surrounding hosting rights. In 2018, the country lost the rights to host CHAN after a botched last-minute attempt to renovate Nyayo, and Kasarani and construct Kinoru Stadium.