CHAN 2024 is underway, and Kenya is in the continental spotlight. The government has sold it as a once-in-a-generation chance to inject billions into the economy, boost sports tourism, and show Africa that the country can host world-class tournaments.
But as the matches roll on, it is clear that the real game is not just on the pitch- it is in whether the country can deliver on what it promised, and at what cost.
From Nairobi to Mombasa, the hospitality sector is buzzing. Hotels are reporting higher occupancy rates than in recent months, driven by both domestic and international fans. Around the stadiums, vendors are cashing in on the surge in foot-traffic, selling everything from national team jerseys to street snacks, while match-day crowds are creating short bursts of business for caterers, transport providers, security personnel, and photographers. These are precisely the kinds of short-term economic ripples the Ministry of Sports has been highlighting, projecting that CHAN will pump billions into the economy.
Still, without seamless infrastructure to support the influx of visitors and teams, the economic boost may not live up to the hype. Long travel times between hotels and stadiums, congested urban roads, and patchy public transport links are already being noted by some travelling fans. These issues don’t just affect visitor-satisfaction- they also directly impact how much money stays in the local economy, as ease of movement influences how often people venture out to spend.
And the hype comes at a significant price. Kenya still owes the Confederation of African Football (CAF) US $13 million- about KShs 1.6 billion- in hosting rights fees, a bill that has been delayed by budget constraints tied to costly stadium upgrades. Nyayo Stadium, whose renovation began in December 2024, is officially 70% complete after KShs 1.84 billion in expenditure. Kasarani Stadium stands at 79% complete, with KShs 6.7 billion already committed. Both venues were still undergoing active work as the tournament began, with final touches taking place alongside match schedules.
This is not unfamiliar territory for Kenya. In 2018, the country lost CHAN hosting rights entirely due to “accumulated delays from reports of the various inspection missions conducted in the country.” That experience still hangs over the current event. In November 2024, CAF inspectors toured venues, training grounds, airports, hotels, flagging a range of concerns- from incomplete works to logistical bottlenecks. While the tournament has kicked off without major disasters, some teams are still training on sub-par pitches, and last-minute fixes remain visible to anyone paying attention.
Beyond the pitch, CHAN is being positioned as more than just a football competition. For the government, it is a soft-power opportunity- a way to reclaim Kenya’s place as a regional sports hub, strengthen its reputation with the African Union, and pave the way for a more ambitious prize: co-hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
A successful CHAN would show that Kenya can deliver large-scale tournaments on time and to international standards. But this narrative competes with the numbers: more than KShs 8.54 billion has been spent on Nyayo and Kasarani alone, in a year when health, education, and other essential services are facing funding gaps.
Sports analysts argue that if CHAN is to have a lasting legacy, the benefits must go beyond a one-month spike in business and fanfare. The upgraded stadiums, roads, and training facilities should be actively maintained and integrated into Kenya’s sports development programs- not left to fall into disrepair, as has happened after past events. Others point out that a focus on grassroots football, youth leagues, and talent development could ensure the tournament’s impact is felt long after the trophy has been lifted.
For now, the fans are cheering, and the atmosphere inside the stadiums is electric. But the scoreboard that will matter after August 30 is not just about who wins CHAN 2024- it is about whether Kenya’s investment will be remembered as a foundation for future growth or yet, another chapter in the country’s long history of last-minute, high-cost hosting.