As of today Sunday, September 8^th, 2024, it is 362 days since Kenya last played a football match on home turf. Basically, a year has passed since Harambee Stars took on the Bright Stars of South Sudan on September the 12^th, 2023 at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani. This is a very long time for a football loving nation to miss watching their national team live in action. In the current international break, the team has played one "home" match in Uganda and is set to take on Namibia in South Africa for another.

Notably, the South Sudan fixture was actually a lucky break for the Kenyans who got a chance watch the team at home. Prior to that, Kenya had served a 10-month FIFA ban after a suspension was imposed on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in February 2022.In accordance with article 16 of the FIFA Statutes, the regulator cited alleged government interference in the running of the football federation. 

The suspension was lifted on the 28^th of November 2022 following a letter sent by FKF General Secretary Barry Otieno to FIFA, in which he confirmed that the Kenyan government, had reinstated the FKF Executive Committee. The FKF General Secretary stated that the FKF offices had been returned to the association's elected leaders.

Harambee Stars World Cup and AFCON Qualifiers

Since then, Harambee Stars have become some sort of tourists. The team has played 16 matches with only one (South Sudan) fixture held on home soil. While a number of these games have been invitational tournaments and friendlies, 4 have been important World Cup qualifiers and 1 an AFCON qualifier. 

In the World Cup qualifiers, the men’s national team has lost one (Gabon), won one (Seychelles) and drawn two (Burundi, Ivory Coast). Both draws were home matches as per the fixture list. Ideally, this should have been held either at the Nyayo Stadium or Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani.

However, Kenyans had to contend with watching their team on TV. The two matches were played at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi. Given the nature of draws, one has to wonder if playing at home would have delivered the much needed 6 points.

Lack of CAF Approved Stadiums

So, why are the friendlies and important home fixtures held away from the country? Remember, Kenya won the “Pamoja” bid to host AFCON 2027 alongside its neighbours Tanzania and Uganda. This led to the government shutting down the two Nairobi stadiums of Kasarani and Nyayo for renovation. 

The two stadiums were the only venues in Kenya capable of hosting CAF-sanctioned matches. Their closure left the national team homeless. In July this year, CAF inspectors were in the country and had a chance to assess the country’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Unfortunately, none of the stadiums in the country met their standards.

Embarassingly, its “Pamoja” co hosts Tanzania have two stadiums approved as of today. One is the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium and the other is the Azam Complex Stadium (Chamazi).

Uganda, which as of January 2024 did not have any approved stadium, has also put in the work. The latest CAF list of approved stadiums has Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) Kampala and St Mary´s Stadium Kitende. Mandela National Stadium served as the venue when Kenya took on Zimbabwe in a nil-nil AFCON qualifiers match.

Nyayo’s Progress

On July 15^th this year, Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum lead a delegation in inspecting the Nyayo National Stadium. At the time, he promised the ground would be ready to host Gor Mahia matches in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

“Generally, we are on top of things as a country and therefore we don't have any course for alarm, the inspection team was happy that we are on course. We are very positive that the approval will be obtained and we will have to play the qualifiers at Nyayo,” said PS Tum.

The first promise by the PS has since come to pass in a positive manner. Gor Mahia took on Al Merreikh FC winning 5-1 in the CAF Champions League qualifiers. The Second promise by the PS was that the stadium will be used for African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.

“Let me tell you even if CHAN was to be held next month or the month after, we are quite ready,” the PS assured.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the 2024 CHAN in February 2025. In fact, CHAN was initially slotted for September 2023 but was cancelled due lack of certified stadia.

Ghost of Missed Tournaments

The new CHAN dates could mean even Kasarani will be ready to host the regional tournament. To meet CAF standards, Kasarani Stadium must have sufficient lighting, fixed seating throughout, including in the VIP area, and essential facilities such as a public address system, a media center, improved changing rooms, a dugout, proper drainage, a mixed zone, and medical facilities for players, spectators, and VIPs. MISC is set to be ready at the end of November. 

"We are going to have an ultra-modern facility and we are asking the contractor to hasten the renovation which is touching the whole facility so that we can have it ready by November 30, " said the newly appointed sports CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, after touring the facility in August.

For the Kenyan fans, these promises if fulfilled, will mean Harambee Stars come back home for most of their fixtures. Further, it will mean that Kenya finally buries the ghost of failing to meet tournament timelines. Fans remember the country lost its hosting rights for AFCON 1996 and CHAN 2018 as facilities were not ready in time.