The newspapers on Saturday, March 21, reported on various topics of public interest, including the stumbling blocks that may hurt Kenya’s right to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
Source: UGC
1. Saturday Nation
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which oversees football on the continent, expects Kenya to have stadiums and training venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals ready by December.
However, signs indicate the country is lagging in preparations to co-host the tournament with its East African neighbors.
Kenya is set to co-host the 36th edition of Afcon with Uganda and Tanzania under the “East Africa Pamoja Bid” in June and July 2027.
Beyond match venues and training grounds, the three countries must also provide adequate hotels, quality hospitals near venues, functional airports in host cities, and sufficient road infrastructure and security.
CAF requires match venues and training pitches to be ready by December 2026, but concerns are growing that Kenya may miss the deadline due to funding challenges.
In addition to delays in paying the hosting rights fee of $30 million (KSh3.9 billion), Kenya is struggling with slow progress in upgrading its match venues and training facilities to world-class standards.
During a benchmarking visit to the 2025 Afcon in Morocco in January, CAF Head of Safety and Security Christian Emeruwa told Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) that infrastructure must be ready at least six months before kick-off, effectively setting a December deadline.
Signs that Kenya may miss the deadline became clearer when Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture on Thursday to present the 2025/26 Supplementary Budget Estimates.
“For Kasarani Stadium (Moi International Sports Centre), we owe the contractor more than KSh3.7 billion. The contractor has significantly reduced the workforce, and we may not meet the six-month deadline set by CAF to have competition and training venues ready,” Mwangi said.
He warned that Kenya risks losing hosting rights over the outstanding KSh3.9 billion fee. Mwangi added that CAF has given Kenya until March 30 to pay, noting that Uganda and Tanzania have already settled their contributions.
“We are aware that Uganda and Tanzania have paid, but Kenya is yet to remit the $30 million (KSh3.9 billion). Therefore, the gains made so far could be in jeopardy if we fail to raise the funds by March 30,” he said.
Kenya previously lost hosting rights for the 1996 Afcon and the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) due to inadequate preparations.
Paying hosting rights fees is a primary obligation for countries hosting Afcon or CHAN. CAF uses the funds to cover officials’ allowances, teams’ air travel, accommodation, and meals.
The current delays mirror those experienced during preparations for the 2024 CHAN, which Kenya co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania. CAF postponed the tournament from February to August 2025 due to lack of preparedness.
Sources within the LOC earlier told Nation Sport that Kenya was largely responsible for the postponement. The country paid its $13 million (KSh1.6 billion) CHAN hosting fee close to the deadline after pressure from CAF.
The 48,000-seater Kasarani Stadium and the 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City, currently under construction, are Kenya’s main match venues for Afcon 2027. Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is being developed as an alternative venue.
Training facilities include Kasarani Annex “A” and “B”, Nyayo National Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Police Sacco Stadium, Kenya Utalii Sports Ground, Kenya Academy of Sports “A” and “B”, and Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu.
To meet CAF timelines, the LOC announced in January that renovations would begin in February. On February 11, the government announced the closure of Kasarani Stadium for refurbishment. Nyayo Stadium was also set to close after a World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament.
However, both facilities remain open and continue to host competitions, including FKF Premier League matches.
Mwangi told MPs that the contractor at Nyayo Stadium has abandoned the site over unpaid dues of more than KSh2.6 billion.
2. The Saturday Standard
The newspaper reported on the messages of peace, unity, and political tolerance defined Eid celebrations across Kenya as thousands of Muslims gathered on Friday, March 20, to mark the end of Ramadan.
In Mombasa, Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho urged Muslims and Kenyans to embrace unity, while in Embu, prayers at Moi Stadium centered on peace and responsible leadership.
Religious leaders cautioned politicians against divisive rhetoric, warning that public disputes between top leaders risk deepening divisions.
Imam Abubakar Noti called on leaders to exercise restraint, stressing that constant verbal clashes between President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua set a poor example.
Sheikh Ibrahim Shaban echoed the sentiment, urging campaigns to focus on development rather than personal attacks.
In Kakamega, Governor Fernandes Barasa emphasised respect for the presidency, urging opposition leaders to stop insults and encouraging the President to prioritize service delivery.
Imam Issa Muyenzi in Kakamega town reminded Kenyans to coexist peacefully ahead of the 2027 elections, while Muslim faithful in Homa Bay urged politicians and residents to shun hooliganism during campaigns.
Supkem secretary Abdul Masud warned that violence undermines democracy and prevents citizens from engaging with leaders’ policies, while Imam Zainul Abidin advised youths not to be manipulated into stirring unrest.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir highlighted unity among Muslims, dismissing moon-sighting controversies as divisive.
As part of Eid celebrations, he announced the discharge of patients detained in county hospitals over unpaid bills and facilitated the release of petty offenders from Jela Baridi Prison, underscoring compassion and community solidarity.
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3. The Weekend Star
The newspaper reported on the fresh details that suggested the August 2025 Kisumu road accident, which claimed 26 lives, may have been triggered by a mix of brake failure, speeding, and poor road design.
The government has stated that investigations are still ongoing, with Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir telling the Senate, “The National Police Service has not finalised its report yet.”
Chirchir explained that a technical crash analysis by the NTSA had already identified likely causes.
The report noted that the AIC Naki High School bus lost control while descending a steep slope, with its braking system failing due to low compressed air pressure.
Traveling at 61 km/h, well above the recommended limit, the driver struck a speed hump and attempted to swerve, causing the bus to roll into a roadside drain.
The crash killed the driver and 24 passengers instantly, while many others were injured.
The NTSA further highlighted the absence of anti-roll bars, weak vehicle structure, and passengers not wearing seat belts as factors that worsened the fatalities.
Investigators also pointed to infrastructural flaws; the roundabout’s outward slope increased rollover risk, the steep gradient amplified speed, and safety features such as guardrails and clear signage were lacking.
Following the tragedy, KeNHA inspected the site and proposed redesigning the black spot, including reconstructing the section into a safer through-traffic road, improving drainage, and adding safety features.
However, Chirchir admitted progress has stalled; “Works are yet to commence due to budgetary constraints. The Ministry shall prioritise the same in the next budgetary cycle.”
In the meantime, temporary measures have been introduced, crash barriers, road markings, reflective studs, and a ban on right turns at the junction, to reduce risks while awaiting full reconstruction.
4. Taifa Leo
The newspaper spotlighted the findings of the National Assembly Committee on Health which established that the Social Health Authority (SHA) may not be financially sustainable and may fail to fulfil its mandate to ensure health for all.
The committee’s chairman, James Nyikal, said the health insurance scheme has been beset by major operational challenges as well as a lack of funds, making it unable to pay hospitals and provide services properly.
The statement was made during a meeting between the leadership of the SHA and officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Health held in Mombasa on Thursday, March 19.
Nyikal said the difficulties facing SHA are mainly due to small donations that do not match the costs of running the program.
“Currently, they are only collecting enough to run their daily operations. The gap between income and expenditure is a big challenge,” he said.
According to the committee, SHA collects about Sh7.4 billion every month, while the cost of running the scheme is about Sh7.2 billion.
The challenge is compounded by the low level of contributions from Kenyans registered under the scheme.
Although the total number of registered people has reached about 29 million, only about five million people pay their contributions, which causes a significant financial gap.
The committee said the revenue is not enough to help the Kenyan government fully implement its universal health care agenda.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
