Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have come under renewed scrutiny after senators raised concerns over construction delays, accessibility for persons with disabilities and emergency preparedness at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, led by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, conducted an inspection of the stadium on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to assess progress on the ongoing renovation works ahead of the December 31 handover deadline.
During the inspection, lawmakers questioned whether the facility would be fully equipped to meet the requirements of an international football tournament, particularly regarding spectator safety and emergency response.
Senator Beth Syengo expressed concern over the pace of construction, prompting the project team, led by Major Daniel Makana, to explain the delays.
Makana attributed the earlier setbacks to payment challenges, which he said had since been resolved. He added that the contractor had doubled the workforce and introduced daily and weekly progress reports to accelerate implementation.
Despite the concerns, the project team maintained that the stadium would be ready within the agreed timeline.
Accessibility and disability concerns
One of the major issues raised during the inspection was whether the renovated stadium would adequately accommodate persons with disabilities.
Committee Vice-Chairperson and nominated Senator Crystal Asige questioned the provision of wheelchair-friendly facilities, accessible parking, washrooms and clear navigation systems for spectators with visual and hearing impairments.
The project team disclosed that 1.5 per cent of the stadium’s 60,000 seats had been reserved for persons with disabilities, distributed across different sections of the facility.
However, officials could not provide firm figures on accessible parking spaces and washrooms, prompting further questions from the committee.
Asige also called for wheelchair-friendly shuttle services, tactile paving, Braille signage, audio descriptions and sign-language interpretation, insisting that accessibility should remain a permanent feature beyond the tournament.
Fire safety raises further questions
Emergency preparedness also emerged as a major concern after Nairobi City County officials disclosed that fire hydrants at the stadium had been found without water during an earlier inspection.
Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku questioned the coordination between the stadium project team, Nairobi City County and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services.
Senators subsequently demanded inspection and compliance reports to establish whether the necessary safety requirements had been met.
Committee Chairperson Murgor called for closer cooperation among the agencies, emphasising that firefighting capacity, occupational safety and emergency response systems must be addressed before the venue hosts international matches.
Major upgrades underway
The Kasarani redevelopment includes new access ramps and lifts, a Teflon roof covering approximately 95 per cent of spectator seating and upgraded floodlights rated at 3,000 lux.
The playing surface has also been redesigned with improved drainage intended to clear water within three minutes. Officials reported that the natural grass had reached approximately 70 per cent germination and would be reinforced using a hybrid stitching system.
Kenya is preparing to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, with the tournament scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
With the December 31 handover deadline approaching, senators want outstanding construction, accessibility and safety concerns resolved before the stadium receives final approval.
Although the project team remains confident about meeting the deadline, the committee insists that completing the construction work must go hand in hand with ensuring the facility is safe, accessible and ready for international football.
