The expected time for the completing the instalation of roofing cannopy at Kasarani Stadium has now been revealed.
As Kenya ramps up preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the timeline for the completion of the canopy installation at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, has finally been disclosed.
The stadium, one of the primary venues for the continental tournament, is undergoing significant renovations to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
The tournament, originally set for February 2025, was rescheduled to August 2024 to allow host nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania more time to finalize their preparations.
Kenya is preparing a number of stadiums to be used for the CHAN 2024 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and it will be a costly affair for the country.
This postponement has had a direct impact on the pace of construction at Kasarani Stadium, particularly regarding the canopy installation.
Initially, the plan was to complete roofing only in the VIP section before CHAN, with the rest of the stadium receiving the canopy post-tournament. However, with the revised timeline, authorities now anticipate completing the entire roofing before the tournament kicks off on August 2.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen previously indicated that the focus was on ensuring the VIP section had a canopy in place for CHAN.
However, the delay in the tournament’s start has allowed the project to be expanded to cover the entire stadium ahead of schedule.
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Kenya may fail to host the opening game of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which will kick off on August 2.
According to Travel & Tell, the roofing material is currently being shipped, with installation set to commence in due course. Meanwhile, the framework for the canopy is already in place.
In addition to the roofing works, the installation of floodlights at Kasarani Stadium is nearing completion.
On Monday, February 3, 2025, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum conducted an impromptu night inspection tour of the facility. The visit was aimed at assessing the functionality of the floodlights, which are now fully operational.
CS Mvurya was accompanied by Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairperson Nicholas Musonye and other senior officials. During the inspection, Tum assured the public that work at both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums was progressing well, despite CHAN’s postponement.
“As promised, despite the postponement of CHAN 2024 from February to August, work continues at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums—going beyond the initial phases CAF had approved for us to host CHAN. The contractor is keeping to his word, with our officers on the ground, alongside KDF personnel, closely monitoring progress to ensure the venue is ready for the CHAN tournament,” Tum stated.
The newly installed floodlights comply with FIFA’s stringent requirements, ensuring optimal visibility for players and improved TV broadcast quality. The key specifications include:
A minimum horizontal illuminance of 1200 lux across the pitch, Even light distribution to minimize shadows, anti-glare design to prevent obstruction for players and match officials, Independent backup power to prevent disruptions in case of power outages and FIFA-accredited testing to verify installation quality.
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Photos from the inspection reveal a well-lit stadium, suitable for night matches and training sessions. The floodlights are affixed to the roofing framework, ensuring they do not obstruct the eventual canopy installation.
Conclusion
With CHAN 2024 set to commence in August, authorities are confident that all necessary upgrades, including the full canopy installation and floodlights, will be completed in time.
The enhancements at Kasarani Stadium mark a significant step toward Kenya’s readiness to co-host the prestigious tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
