Governor Bii responds to Nyong'o, Barasa over hosting of AFCON matches in Eldoret

By Peter Ochieng

Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii on Monday welcomed a move by the Ministry of Sports to front Kipchoge Keino stadium in Eldoret, as one of the venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Last week, Confederations of African Football (CAF) announced Kenya alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda as 2027 AFCON joint hosts, beating bids by Egypt, Botswana and Senegal.

It will be the first time for the tournament to be hosted in East Africa, and as expected, stakes are high.

Governor Bii in a statement said various factors play in favour of Eldoret hosting AFCON matches.

He said the town has an international airport, favourable climatic conditions and several five star hotels, with a bed capacity of about 10,000.

Bii says the Kipkeino stadium is being upgraded to a 20,000 seater capacity stadium ahead of the tournament.

He acknowledged Kisumu and Kakamega's standing in churning out soccer talents in the country, but insists Eldoret is no push over.

"We acknowledge the rich sporting heritage of Kakamega and Kisumu, and their contribution to Kenyan football, but it is important to remember that football is a sport that attracts fans across the country. It enhances unity in diversity," he said.

On Sunday, Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa said it 'was a tragedy' that Eldoret had been earmarked as one of AFCON host matches, instead of Kisumu or Kakamega.

"The UDA government has announced that the AFCON 2027 football matches shall be held in Nairobi and Eldoret. This, in our view, is a tragic decision. Western Kenya should have been included with either matches being held in Kisumu or Kakamega. The Western region of Kenya is where football fans exist in plenitude. Not in Uashin Gishu, or Eldoret for that matter," said the two.

"Eldoret has athletes and athletic fans in millions. But not soccer. And that is the naked truth. This means the Afcon matches will be played in empty stadia with very little impact. It should be noted that our neighbors who are cohosting the tournament with us, under the Pamoja proposal, have each chosen three venues namely: Uganda-Kampala, Lira and Hoima; Tanzania-Dar e Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. Why can’t we do the same in Kenya?"

Nyong'o and Barasa said there is still time to reconsider the decision. "The people of Western Kenya are waiting."