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The Uasin Gishu governor has dismissed concerns raised by Kakamega and Kisumu that Eldoret should not have been chosen to host AFCON 2027 matches
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has responded to his Kisumu and Kakamega counterparts Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o and Ferdinand Baraza following their reservations over the decision to select Eldoret as one of the host towns for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania through the ‘EAC Pamoja Bid’ won the hosting rights of the AFCON 2027 tournament with the government earmarking Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums in Nairobi as well as Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino as the venues set to be used in Kenya.
However, Nyong’o and Baraza cried foul on Sunday, claiming the western region, specifically Kisumu and Kakamega, should have been given an opportunity to host some matches due to the huge number of football fans in the counties as opposed to Eldoret which they claimed to be an ‘athletics town’ that would embarrass Kenya by having empty seats during the tournament.
“The Western region of Kenya is where football fans exist in plenitude. Not in Uashin Gishu, or Eldoret for that matter. The decision by the UDA government may be denying the Western region the opportunity to host the games because we are not shareholders in the Kenya Kwanza Company limited,” read part of a joint statement from the two governors.
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05:00 - 02.10.2023
FOOTBALL Two Governors question choice of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations host cities
Governors criticise stadium choices for 2027 AFCON, advocating for the inclusion of Western Kenya.
But in a rejoinder, Bii said Eldoret deserves to host the tournament as it has more than what is needed to accommodate visiting teams and fans as well as its proximity to a number of tourist attraction sites in Kenya.
“Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County is fit to host upcoming AFCON 2027 due to the presence of Kipchoge Keino Stadium that is being upgraded to have more than 20,000 seat capacity. The town hosts several five-star hotels and has a bed capacity of close to 10,000,” said Bii in a statement on Monday.
“Besides the stadium, Uasin Gishu and its neighbouring counties have high altitude training centres ideal for sports men and women.
“We are the perfect location linking you to the viewpoints of the Great Rift Valley in Elgeyo Marakwet County, direct flights to Turkana, the cradle of mankind, national parks, and conservancies such as Ruko, Mt Elgon, Kapnarok, Rimoi among others.
“Eldoret also has state-of-the-art health facilities and it hosts the second national referral hospital in Kenya.”
Bii also shrugged of the suggestion that Eldoret is an athletics town that does not have football followers as claimed by the two governors.
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06:32 - 29.09.2023
FOOTBALL Mwendwa reveals how Harambee Stars will be competitive in time for home AFCON 2027 tourney
Mwendwa opened up on plans to make Harambee Stars competitive in time for the 2027 AFCON.
“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 and diversity,” he added.
“Our passion for the sport runs as deep as yours and our city is more than ready to host an event of this magnitude. We are not just the land of athletics, we are also a land rich in diverse sporting activities such as volleyball, football and javelin among others.”
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