In Summary
- They says Uasin Gishu is home of athletic not football.
- They want president William Ruto to reconsider his decision.
- Kenya together with Uganda and Tanzania will host AFCON 2027.
Football fans have expressed concerns over move by President William Ruto’s move to have AFCON 2027 matches to be held in Nairobi and Eldoret saying Eldoret is not football fans base and that the thoughts were Ill-advised.
Ken Komoro an ardent fan of football says the matches could have been held in Nakuru or Kisumu where there is a fan base and enabling infrastructure including recreational facilities.
“Those advising the president on this matter are doing no good and even if it is a must to have those games in Uasin Gishu in Eldoret is the best spot for football. We are disappointed and it seems politics played role in selecting Eldoret as a centre of play.” Komoro said.
They have called on the president to rescind his decision and have Kisumu and Nakuru as hosts.
“Sio mbali sana rais Bado ako na liberty kuchange mind na kuleta hizo games Naks ama Kisumu Eldoret Joo ni mbali na ni ya mathlete so kama football fans we would like to request him to reconsider his decision and revert that decision.” He added.
Governors Protest
Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o and his Kakamega counterpart had earlier protested the move over the same saying it was politically motivated.
“Western Kenya should have been included with either matches being held in Kisumu or Kakamega That would be extremely myopic as the President was representing the country when he teamed with our colleagues in the East African Community. Coming back home, the goalpost seems to have changed. That’s unfortunate,” the two governors said.
The governors said the Western region is where football fans exist in plenitude and not in Uashin Gishu, or Eldoret for that matter.
“The success of the matches will be on the turn-up at the stadium where the matches will be held Eldoret has athletes and athletic fans in millions. But not soccer. And that is the naked truth.”
