The Kasarani, Nyayo and Kip Keino stadiums have been closed for renovations as Kenya races to be ready to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania made a joint bid to host the biennial championship and the three countries are racing against time to get the organiser’s nod to host the 2027 event.

As such, on Tuesday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba announced the closure of the facilities, to pave way for renovations, to be undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces.

Nyayo and Kasarani have been in the past closed down for similar works but the end results have, in most cases, left a lot to be desired.

Equally, this is not the first time that the Ministry of Defence has been tasked with renovations, as they were tasked with the refurbishment of Moi Stadium in Embu for Madaraka Day celebrations back in March.

Namwamba defended the move to have the sister ministry take charge of the four projects citing strict deadlines to be met and the need for discipline during the undertaking.

"We are doing this because of time, we are extremely pressed for time. We must beat very strict deadlines in delivery. We are also doing this because we want discipline and efficiency, top tier discipline and efficiency. We want precision and we believe that the ministry of defence ticks all those boxes,” he said.

During the handing over ceremony Tuesday morning, Namwamba expressed that the renovations were partly motivated by Kenya's bid to co-host the 2027 African Cup of Nations with neighbours Tanzania and Uganda.

"We want to send a message to the Confederation of African Football that the East Africa Pamoja bid is a strong bid. Tanzania is ready, Uganda is ready and Kenya is ready. In terms of readiness we have given a deadline of 2025 to complete these facilities."

The East African nations expressed interest to bring the continental showpiece to the region after the Kenyan government approved the cabinet proposal back in December 2022.

The closure however complicates matters for national teams Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets, who could be forced to play World Cup and Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers outside the country with Nyayo and Kasarani closed.