Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara celebrates with the trophy alongside the players after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan, Ivory Coast on February 11, 2024.
The government has appointed a multi-agency team to oversee Kenya's preparations to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and 2027 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments with Tanzania and Uganda.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen on Friday appointed the "Pamoja CHAN 2024 and Pamoja Afcon 2027 Multi-Agency Team", comprising the Project Oversight Council, the National Steering Committee and the Secretariat, in a gazette notification number 16099 dated December 6, 2024.
Kenya will co-host the delayed 2024 CHAN with Uganda and Tanzania from 1 to 28 February. The biennial tournament is for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues and is a dry run for the 2027 Afcon, which the country will also co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The 2024 CHAN will feature nineteen teams.
Members of the Project Oversight Council are Murkomen, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum and his counterparts from the ministries of Defence, National Treasury, Transport and Foreign Affairs or their representatives.
Veteran football administrator Nicholas Musonye will chair the 22-strong national steering committee, while the president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will serve as vice-chairman.
Other members include the Attorney General, PSs from the ministries of Interior and National Administration, Public Health and Professional Standards, ICT and Digital Economy, Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Citizen Services, Investment Promotion and the East African Community.
They can elect their representatives. Nairobi County Secretary, Kenya Academy of Sports Chief Executive Officer, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob "Ghost" Mulee and veteran journalist Elias Makori are part of the team.
Mike Rabar will head the nine-member secretariat. The other members of the secretariat are FKF CEO Patrick Korir, Dennis Kinyua, Lorna Misoi, Ivy Kitony, Jack Mukhongo Munialo, Jimmy Lorot Lokolong and Nicole Mwende.
Some of the key responsibilities of the multi-agency team are to develop a comprehensive tournament roadmap for CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, oversee budget preparation, resource mobilisation and financial accountability, monitor project timelines and provide progress updates to CAF, the Kenyan government and stakeholders.
The multi-agency team is also expected to work with CAF to organise the team draw, match schedule and venue allocation.
Other tasks include overseeing the renovation and upgrading of stadiums to meet CAF seating capacity requirements and liaising with stakeholders, including government agencies, sponsors and international organisations, to deliver events that meet global standards.
The team will also adopt its own procedures and establish guiding principles and standards for its work.
Uganda and Tanzania have already formed their Local Organising Committees.
Kenya is lagging behind in its preparations to co-host the tournament and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given the country until December 31 to prepare for the tournament.
