The Ministry of Sports has announced plans to introduce tax exemptions and visa reforms to facilitate the smooth movement of fans during the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya revealed the proposal during a joint press briefing with his Ugandan and Tanzanian counterparts on Tuesday evening, underscoring the region's shared commitment to the success of the tournament.
Mvurya stated that the three countries are working on a temporary "Pamoja Visa" that will allow football enthusiasts to travel freely between the host nations for the duration of the competition.
The visa will be rolled out following agreements between the Immigration departments of the participating countries, forming part of a broader plan to ease travel logistics and enhance regional cooperation during CHAN.
At the same time, Mvurya sought to allay fears that the recent tensions between Kenya and Tanzania could compromise preparations for the upcoming tournament.
The CS assured that the government had made significant progress and that necessary arrangements were either in place or underway to ensure Kenya is ready to host the competition by August.
“Our meeting is to reaffirm our commitment to host the CHAN competitions. Each country is addressing all that is required to ensure that the tournament is seamless,” Mvurya said.
“We have agreed as ministers from the three countries that we will work with our respective ministries in charge of immigration to ensure seamless visa entry. We are also discussing a Pamoja Visa, which will be very critical for the tournament,” he added.
Additionally, the government will waive taxes for equipment used during the event, a move expected to boost trade and facilitate the timely arrival of essential gear.
“On the issue of how equipment will arrive in specific countries, we are looking at how we can institute tax exemptions and other related measures,” Mvurya noted.
He also announced that the tournament’s Technical Team will convene on June 10 to finalise the budgeting process and ensure all logistical and infrastructural requirements are met ahead of the competition.
Over the past two weeks, Kenya has been training stewards and security officers to help maintain safety for the thousands of fans expected to attend the tournament.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), all venues must comply with stringent safety criteria, including secure perimeters, controlled access points, and emergency evacuation plans.
Stadiums are required to have individual, fixed seating made of unbreakable, non-flammable materials, with backrests at least 30 cm high.
The tournament is scheduled to run from August 2 to August 30, 2025, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania jointly co-hosting the event.
