Musonye warns hooligans of stadium ban ahead of AFCON 2027 upgrades
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 12.02.26. | 12:32
The former CECAFA secretary general criticized what he termed a culture of impunity, saying repeated acts of vandalism have contributed to the deteriorating state of sports infrastructure
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has issued a stern warning to hooligans, vowing to bar them from accessing Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as Kenya prepares to host AFCON 2027.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
Musonye said the government will not tolerate vandalism of public facilities during the renovation period and beyond, warning that individuals known for destroying stadium property risk being locked out until after the continental tournament.
“If you allow fans who are known hooligans to destroy facilities, this time they will not access the stadia until AFCON is over,” Musonye said.
“I will ask the principal secretary to give me authority to close some of these venues because we know hooligans in this country who break stadiums and get away with it. They have been doing it and walking free.”
The former CECAFA secretary general criticized what he termed a culture of impunity, saying repeated acts of vandalism have contributed to the deteriorating state of sports infrastructure.
“You talk about vandalism at Kasarani. Who is to blame? Blame our people. When these facilities are put in place, you don’t destroy them and then blame the government,” he said.
“It is our responsibility to safeguard our facilities. It is very strange that in this country, you cause damage and get away with it.”
Musonye spoke as preparations began for the closure of Kasarani and Nyayo to pave the way for major upgrades ahead of the 2027 tournament.
.jpg)
Kasarani will undergo a complete overhaul of its playing surface, including the installation of a hybrid turf, while the 18,000-seater Nyayo Stadium will be fitted with a canopy as part of efforts to elevate it to world-class standards.
The upgrades are expected to temporarily disrupt domestic competitions, with Musonye urging football and rugby clubs to prepare for alternative arrangements.
“We want to have the best AFCON for the legacy of this country. So be prepared for some inconveniences, especially league matches that may have to be played elsewhere and not in Nairobi,” he said.
Musonye assured stakeholders that once construction is complete, the LOC will conduct test events and dry runs to evaluate the readiness of the venues and address any gaps before the tournament kicks off.
With Kenya set to co-host the 2027 showpiece, the LOC chair made it clear that protecting renovated infrastructure will be a top priority in the countdown to the continent’s biggest football spectacle.