A crisis of match venues is looming in the local sporting scene following the planned closure of both Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, and the Nyayo National Stadium for extensive renovation.
The two stadiums are among the venues Kenya has earmarked for hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, and will be closed down this month for extensive renovation.
Although Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) matches will be the most affected, other federations will also be affected.
Lennox Ogutu (left) of Nairobi United beats APS Bomet's Philip Wasai to the ball during their FKF Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on February 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Other than hosting football matches, Nyayo National Stadium also hosts athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, handball, swimming, and netball competitions.
All these sports will be affected when the stadium is closed down this month for installation of canopy on the seating areas. Kenya will co-host the 36th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament with Uganda, and Tanzania in June and July next year.
Nicholas Musonye, the chairman Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for 2027 Afcon, and Sports Kenya Public Relations Manager Rakki Asman have both confirmed that the two facilities will be closed down for renovation this month.
“I cannot say exactly when (the stadiums will be closed this February) but it will be done as soon as everything has been taken into consideration,” Asman said on Thursday.
He explained that Sports Kenya was still engaging various stakeholders over the planned closure, among them FKF, and Athletics Kenya.
Established by the 2013 Sports Act, Sports Kenya is a state corporation charged with managing all sports facilities owned by the national government. It carries out functions formally performed by Sports Stadia Management Board, and the Department of Sports.
An aerial view of the newly renovated Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on June 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
At MISC, the upgrades to be undertaken include replacing grass on the playing surface, improving the floodlights, expanding the media tribune, and adjusting the technical benches to ensure spectators seated behind them have a clear view of the pitch. Nyayo will have a canopy installed among other upgrades.
“Sports Kenya were liaising with sports federations to see if they could reschedule the activities, which were planned there. Once that is done, we will close the stadiums completely, and start serious work,” Musonye said.
2024 Chan Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye speaks to journalists at Nyayo National Stadium on March 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Nyayo, and MISC, which were built in 1983, and 1987 are the country’s main sporting arenas thus their closure will have a significant impact on local sports.
According to this season’s FKF-PL fixtures, more than 30 matches will be affected if Kasarani, and Nyayo Stadium are closed this month. Starting from the 20th round of fixtures planned for February 13 to 15, Kasarani was planned to host a total of 18 matches, with Nyayo hosting 16.
The number of the affected matches could increase if MISC Kasarani Annex, Police Sacco Stadium, and Ulinzi Sports Complex are also closed for renovation before the league season concludes on May 30.
The three venues are among the facilities designated as training grounds for the Afcon. From the round 20 fixtures, MISC Kasarani Annex, Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex are slated to host 21, 17 and 16 matches respectively.
While Asman explained that only facilities under Sports Kenya will be closed, he noted that other venues earmarked for Afcon will only be shut if extensive repairs are required as they would be unable to host activities during the renovation period.
“If the upgrades can be done while the facility is in use then we won’t close them,” he noted. FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee chairman, Peter Kamau, admitted that the repairs will affect league matches.
