The imminent closure of Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums for AFCON 2027 renovations has left Kenya’s biggest clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, facing a displacement crisis.
In a blunt wake-up call, AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani warned that relying on government infrastructure has left the two giants “homeless” and “exposed.”
Despite their massive fan bases and decades of history, neither club owns a stadium or a modern training facility.
Renovations begin in early March 2026, forcing both clubs to find alternative venues mid-season.
Ambani labeled it “shameful” that smaller clubs like Murang’a Seal own their own grounds (Sebastian Park) while the nation’s two most popular teams continue to rent.
Ambani is calling on millions of fans and corporate sponsors to pivot from “comfort zones” to active investment in club-owned infrastructure.
“When you have your own house, nobody tells you when to sleep,” Ambani said. “Ownership is the only way to gain independence and respect.”
With the shutdown just weeks away, the two giants must now navigate a future where history and popularity can no longer compensate for a lack of brick and mortar.
