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The Moi International Sports Centre (abbreviated as MISC, locally referred to as the Kasarani stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Kasarani, Kenya. It was built in 1987 for the All-Africa Games held in Nairobi. The facilities include a 55,000-seat stadium with a running track and a pitch used for football and rugby union, a competition size swimming pool, an indoor arena and a 108-bed capacity hotel.[4] The stadium is located at 1,612 metres (1.002 mi) above sea level in altitude.[5]
 Interior of the stadium on a matchday | |
 | |
| Full name | Moi International Sports Centre |
|---|---|
| Location | Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Coordinates | 1°13′41″S 36°53′26″E |
| Owner | Government of Kenya |
| Operator | Sports Kenya |
| Capacity | |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1987 |
| Opened | August 1987 |
| Renovated | 2010–12, 2024 |
| Tenants | |
| Kenya national football team Mathare United F.C. Tusker Athletics Kenya | |
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During a visit to China in 1980, Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi requested that China fund a national sports center for Kenya.[6]: 41 After signing a series of protocols and agreements, China began work on the Moi International Sports Center in 1982.[6]: 41 In 1987, China completed the first phase and turned the center over to Kenya in time for the All-Africa Games later that year.[6]: 41 The sports complex later appeared on the 20 Kenyan shilling note.[7]
The stadium was closed in January 2010 for renovation works worth KSh.900 million, funded by a grant to the Government of Kenya by the Government of China. Chinese firm, Sheng Li Engineering Construction Company Limited, was contracted to conduct the renovations. The renovation works started in August 2010 and took 12 months.[8] The stadium was reopened in March 2012 after completion of the renovations.
In April and May 2014, after terror attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa, the main stadium was used as a screening center as part of 'Operation Usalama Watch' during which thousands of people were rounded up and arrested by the Kenya Police.[9][10]
The stadium hosted the 2017 World U18 Championships in Athletics[11] and 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships.[citation needed]
The stadium was closed for renovations in 2024, due to it selection to host the CHAN 2024 early in 2025, as well as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.[1] The refurbishments saw the capacity reduced from 65 to 55 thousand, a new larger roof installed, flood lighting upgraded to 3,000 Lux, Video Assistant Referee cameras installed as well as various upgrades to the workstations inside the stadium.[1]
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Kasarani Stadium (Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani)
The main arena is used by the Kenya national football team for most of its home games, as well as Kenyan Premier League sides Mathare United and Tusker F.C.[citation needed]
Since 2013 the Safari Sevens rugby union tournament has been hosted at the Kasarani Stadium.[citation needed]
For sponsorship reasons, the stadium was known as Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.[12]
Kasarani Indoor Arena
The indoor arena seats 5,000 and hosts volleyball, gymnastics, basketball, badminton, boxing, wrestling, martial arts and table tennis.[citation needed]
For sponsorship reasons, the arena is also known as Safaricom Indoor Arena.[citation needed]
Kasarani Aquatic Complex
This arena consists of an Olympic competition pool 1.25 metres in depth, a recreational public diving pool and a children's pool.[citation needed]
The Stadium Hotel
This is a 108-room hotel located within the centre.[citation needed]
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| Date | Competition | Result | Rival | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 September 2018 | International Friendly | 1–0 |  Malawi |
3,500 |
| 14 October 2018 | 2019 AFCON Qualifiers | 3–0 |  Ethiopia |
60,000 |
| 18 Nov 2019 | 2021 AFCON Qualifiers | 1–1 |  Togo |
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