CAF postpones CHAN inspection visit to Kenya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has called off its final inspection visit to Kenya to assess preparedness of the country for the 2018 African Nations Championship, officials said on Sunday.

CAF said the change in plan was necessitated by the current political situation in the country, following the recent Supreme Court ruling that annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election victory achieved during the August 8 General Election.

“We have just been informed that in light of the recent happenings CAF will be sending its 2^nd Vice president Mr. Constant Omari Selemani to assess the political and security situation of the country, before they can proceed with the inspection visit,” FKF president Nick Mwendwa said. 

“Consequently, the planned inspection visit that was scheduled for next week has been shelved, with CAF informing us that they will only announce a new date after the assessment of the political situation in the country,” the FKF boss added.

Omari, who is also the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Football Association (FECOFA), arrived in Nairobi on Sunday and is expected to meet Mwendwa and Kenyan sports minister Hassan Wario to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court ruling.

A re-run of the presidential election has been ordered within the next 60 days, triggering the likelihood of intense political activity in the country over the next two months.

Kenya has identified five stadiums to host the January 12 to February 4 championship, which is reserved exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues.

The five stadiums earmarked as host venues for the biennial competition are the Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Center-Kasarani, Kinoru Stadium, Kipchoge Keino Stadium and the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.