Azimio Governors Call Out Govt For Leaving Out Nyanza and Western In AFCON Plans
Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu and Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega issued a joint statement on Sunday criticizing the national government for excluding the Nyanza and Western regions from the 2027 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) hosting plan.
The government plans to conduct the 2027 Afcon games in Nairobi and Eldoret, excluding all other regions from consideration.
The two governors noted in their letter that Kisumu and Kakamega should have been included in the Afcon hosting arrangements.
‘’The Western region of Kenya is where football fans exist in plenitude. NOT in Uasin Gishu or Eldoret for that matter,’’ the statement read in parts.
The Governors also claimed that Eldoret has fewer football fans than Kisumu and Kakamega, so the decision to host the games in Eldoret and Kakamega is likely to have a negative impact, including supporters staying away from the stadiums.
‘’The success of the matches will be on the turn up at the stadium where the matches will be held,’’ the statement further read.
Further, the two county chiefs asserted that Eldoret, which is globally renowned as a center for athletics, is not known for its football culture, and therefore supporters are unlikely to attend the matches.
‘’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 stadiums with very little impact,’’ they added.
In addition, they alleged that the regions were denied the opportunity to host the Afcon because they are opposition strongholds.
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‘’That would be extremely myopic as the President was representing the Republic of Kenya when he teamed with our colleagues in the East African Community. Coming back home, he seems to have changed the goalpost,’’ they stated.
In their statement, they also mentioned Tanzania and Uganda as neighboring countries with balanced plans for important regions.
‘’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?’’ the statement questioned.
The administrators of Azimio concluded by requesting that the government reconsider the plans and make modifications so that the schedule can have a national perspective.
Edwin Sifuna, a senator from Nairobi, issued a statement in which he echoed the sentiments of the two governors, arguing that the recent attendance at various matches conducted at the Bukhungu Stadium lends credence to Nyong’o and Barasa’s concerns.
‘’I support. The evidence is in the turnout at Bukhungu for the regional and national games held recently,’’ Sifuna stated.
After Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda won the proposal to jointly host the 2027 AFCON, the national government announced plans to construct the Talanta Stadium in Nairobi in advance of the tournament.
Similarly, the national government intends to renovate Nyayo Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Nairobi and Eldoret, respectively.
Azimio Governors Call Out Govt For Leaving Out Nyanza and Western In AFCON Plans
