Mvurya appoints Nicholas Musonye to lead AFCON 2027 preparations
The Kenyan government has officially established the Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC), shortly after the government had remitted the required Ksh3.9 billion hosting fee for the tournament.
The committee will be led by Nicholas Musonye as the chairman and Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed, his assistant, marking a major step in preparations for the historic continental tournament that Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
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According to a special issue of The Kenya Gazette dated March 30, 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, announced the appointment of members to the National Steering Committee and the formation of the LOC secretariat to oversee the planning and execution of the prestigious tournament.
Building on CHAN 2024
The Gazette notes that the establishment of the LOC follows the successful hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which took place between February 1 and February 28, 2025, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The tournament, spearheaded by Musonye, marked the first time the competition was jointly organised by three nations and served as a preparatory milestone toward the 2027 AFCON.
The government has emphasised that the scale and complexity of hosting the 36th edition of AFCON in early 2027 require extensive coordination, logistical planning, and resource mobilisation, prompting the formal creation of the LOC.
Key appointments
The National Steering Committee will be chaired by Nicholas Musonye, with Hussein Mohammed appointed as vice-chairperson. The committee includes several prominent figures drawn from sports administration, government, and the private sector.
Other members named include Evans Achoki, McDonald Mariga, Brigadier Titus Sokobe, Osman Abdi, June Chepkemei, Mary Mwiti, Nuh Ibrahim, Agnes Kalekye, Peninah Wahome, Douglas Ratemo, Timothy Kilimo, Dr. Doreen Odhiambo, Lilian Nyawada, Lordrick Aduda, K.K. Mutai, Juma Maulidi Wahoga, Rebecca Natabo Ekwam, Robert Macharia, Timothy Nabea, Abdalla Yusuf Ibrahim, Ahmed Qadar Dabar, Gabriel Mghendi, Peter Kamau, Kerubo Momanyi, Benard Lagat, Collins Kalee, Caleb Amwayi, Ken Rungu, Dan Shikanda, Charles Njagi, Thomas Karugu, Evelyn Cheluget, Miriam Chepkoech, Rodgers Chimega, Diana Injendi Manyengo, and Collins Were.
The LOC Secretariat will operate from the Ministry of Sports headquarters at Talanta Plaza in Upper Hill, Nairobi, and will be led by Antony Emmanuel Inzahu Lung’aho, who will oversee daily operations.
Mandate of the LOC
The LOC has been tasked with developing a comprehensive tournament roadmap for AFCON 2027, ensuring Kenya meets international standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Among its responsibilities will be overseeing budget preparation, mobilising resources, monitoring project timelines, and ensuring stadiums meet CAF requirements in terms of seating capacity, pitch quality, safety, and security.
The committee will also supervise infrastructure upgrades, including transport networks, telecommunications, and other essential services necessary for hosting international teams and fans.
In addition, the LOC will coordinate with CAF on team draws, match scheduling, and venue allocations, while ensuring high-quality global broadcasting of matches.
Major focus
Security planning will be a major priority, with the LOC directed to develop comprehensive safety strategies for all match venues and team accommodations in strict compliance with CAF protocols.
The committee will also partner with the Kenya Tourism Board to showcase Kenya’s cultural heritage and tourist attractions to international visitors expected during the tournament.
Other duties include managing ticketing operations, fan zones, sponsorship engagements, media relations, accommodation logistics, and volunteer recruitment.
Importantly, the LOC is expected to ensure inclusivity by creating opportunities for Kenyan youth to participate in the tournament through training, employment, and capacity-building programs.
Notably, funding for the LOC will come primarily from allocations by the National Government, supplemented by donations and endowments aimed at supporting AFCON preparations.
The Gazette has further stated that the LOC will adopt its own operational procedures and guiding principles to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability throughout the tournament preparations.
Meanwhile, the appointment of the LOC members took effect from Friday, March 27, 2026, with the new structure replacing earlier arrangements established under Gazette Notice No. 16099 of 2024.
