Homa Bay: Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that Kenya is not ready to host the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN). He termed these claims as mere rumors, emphasizing that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already conducted a number of inspections and confirmed the country's preparedness for the looming champions' league.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mvurya addressed the misinformation and assured the public of Kenya's readiness to host the tournament. 'Some social media pages are claiming that Kenya is not ready to host CHAN. I want to clarify that Kenya is fully prepared. We met with the CAF delegation last Friday, and from both the discussions and their report, it is evident that Kenya is ready to host the tournament,' Mvurya stated.
The inspections will continue until the final preparations are complete in July, he added. Mvurya further urged the public to disregard misinformation online and assured Kenyans that the government has made significant investments in infrastructure, including renovations at the Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums.
'We have already paid the Sh1.6 billion hosting fee, and all other logistical processes are proceeding as planned. There is no cause for concern. In fact, within the next few weeks, we will begin preparing our team to ensure they are ready to compete and bring home the trophy,' he affirmed.
Mvurya made these remarks at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay during the facility's handing over ceremony to the National Celebrations Steering Committee and Sports Kenya for final preparations. The CS was accompanied by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Petroleum and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo who is also the National Celebrations Steering Committee Chair, Sports Kenya officials, and other national and county government representatives.
He confirmed that construction of the Raila Odinga Stadium is almost complete, at 99 percent and ready to host this year's Madaraka Day celebrations. '99 percent of the work is complete, and we are handing the facility over to the celebration committee and Sports Kenya. This handover gives them an opportunity to use the stadium for the national celebrations,' he stated.
Beyond the upcoming event, Mvurya emphasized the government's broader commitment to transforming the stadium into a hub for various sporting activities. 'We want to ensure the pitch meets proper standards by improving the grass, installing a tartan track, and developing other auxiliary facilities to create a comprehensive sports infrastructure,' he said.
The near-complete 12,000-seater stadium is expected to play a key role not only in national events but also in positioning the county as a central hub for sports development. Governor Wanga on her part expressed gratitude for the upgrades at the stadium, commending the national government for its support and the teams involved in the project.
'I want to thank the sports cabinet secretary, the contractors, and the technical committee. The people of Homa Bay are grateful for the work done,' she said. She reiterated that the revamped facility would not only serve national celebrations but also promote sports development in the county.