New Twist as Government Announces What Cost Kenya Chance to Host CHAN Tournament

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia has blamed the political tension in the country for the recent stripping of Kenya from hosting the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Kaberia stated that the current political uncertainty played a part in the cancellation but insisted Kenya was ready.

After the nullification of the Presidential election on September, coupled with the new dates for the fresh elections, Kaberia believes CHAN officials reconsidered their options and stripped Kenya of the chance to host the tournament.

His sentiments were echoed by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Nick Mwendwa who stated that Confederation of African Football (CAF) leaders expressed concern about the current political climate.

"CAF was very clear that they couldn't take the political risks of hosting," stated Mr Mwendwa.

The FKF boss added that all was not lost as he stated that Kenya still has a chance to host either World U20 or U17 when there's no political tension in the country.

Wrangles between opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta have been on the rise in recent weeks after the NASA leader stated that he would boycott the elections and would use all means possible to eject electoral bosses from office.

The decision to strip off Kenya was announced at a media conference after a one-day meeting headed by CAF's president Ahmad Ahmad.

CAF said the decision was made "in light of accumulated delays from reports of the various inspection missions conducted in the country."

The 16-team tournament for locally-based players only is scheduled to take place between 12 January and 4 February 2018.

A CAF inspection team visited Kenya from September 11 to 17th and found that only one of the four venues was ready to stage the event.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) insists "it did everything humanly possible to ensure that CHAN 2018 became a reality both to Kenyans and the entire East African Region."