The Moi International Sports Centre, popularly known as the Kasarani Stadium, has been Kenya’s flagship sporting venue since opening in August, 1987.
With a current, reduced capacity of 48,000 seats following a comprehensive 2024–2025 refurbishment that expanded the VIP area, the stadium is the central hub for football, athletics, and other major sporting events.
Notably, it will host all Group ’A’ matches and the final of the 2024 CHAN tournament (rescheduled to August 3-20, 2025), cementing its key role in regional football hosting.
Phases of Refurbishment
The stadium’s refurbishment was done in two phases with the first completed by early 2025, which included installation of a new high quality grass pitch, seating with durable bituminous gray seats and backrests, upgraded floodlights, and modern dressing rooms with Confederation of African Football (CAF) standard amenities.
By April, CAF inspectors had approved the playing surface and basic infrastructure, including media tribune, VIP entry tunnels, emergency medical rooms, and anti-doping suites.
The second phase focused on canopy roofing, accessibility, and media and technical upgrades. Delays early in the process saw the canopy only partly installed by late 2024, CAF inspectors reported the canopy at 25–40% complete, lifts at 60%, and sound system installers at 10%.
However, accelerated procurement—via airlifts to fast-track materials—helped regain momentum.
By July 2025, the canopy was fully complete, supplying comprehensive cover for the stands.
Additional Technical Upgrades
Within the stadium complex, floodlights were upgraded to meet CAF’s expected intensity of around 3,000 lux, with backup generators installed for uninterrupted broadcasts and matches. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) cameras and related workstations were installed as part of the modernization package required for continental tournaments.
CAF Certification & Handover
On July 2, 2025, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya officially handed over the fully refurbished Kasarani Stadium to the CHAN Local Organising Committee (LOC).
He declared all internal facilities; pitch, dressing rooms, seating, and floodlights, compliant with CAF standards, with only minor perimeter wall completion pending (to be finalized in two days. The stadium was certified ready to host its share of the CHAN tournament, including the Group A group stage and final of the tournament on August 30, 2025.
“This momentous occasion is not only a proud achievement for Kenya but also for the entire East African region,” said Mvurya.
“It reaffirms our standing as a premier destination for international competitions and sets the stage for hosting future continental tournaments, including CHAN and upcoming AFCON in 2027.
Auxiliary Infrastructure and Training Facilities
Adjacent training grounds such as Kasarani Annex, Ulinzi Sports Complex, and Police Sacco Stadiums have also been upgraded and approved by CAF inspectors.
Kasarani Annex, with two auxiliary pitches, serves as an immediate training venue for host nation and visiting teams, with well-maintained grass and completed changing rooms and amenities. Harambee Stars, under South African head coach Benni McCarthy, will begin their campaign at the same venue against DR Congo on Sunday, August 3.
Legacy and Long-Term Impact
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairperson Nicholas Musonye said the stadium is a legacy that will see upcoming sport events hosted there.
“While CHAN 2025 is the immediate focus, Kasarani’s refurbishment is part of a wider strategy to prepare Kenya for hosting AFCON 2027 and other continental events.
The modernised stadium now places Kenya among Africa’s premier venues, benefiting national football and athletics alike.
The upgrades are expected to deliver long-term dividends, including enhanced training infrastructure, tourism boost, and improved event hosting credentials,” added Musonye.
Recently President William Ruto visited the facility and declared: “Today, we can proudly say that we are going to host CHAN on August 3.”
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