As the East African region races to upgrade its infrastructure for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a disturbing trend is emerging from the construction sites. A new report reveals that the multi-billion shilling stadium projects are systematically excluding Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), a blunder that could turn our sporting cathedrals into monuments of discrimination.

The alarm was raised in Arusha, Tanzania, where the construction of the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium—a key venue for the "Pamoja" bid—was found to be 95% complete yet glaringly deficient in accessibility features. It is a cautionary tale that Nairobi must heed immediately. If a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility can "forget" the disabled, what guarantee do we have that Kenya’s Talanta Hela Stadium or the renovations at Kasarani will be any different?

Concrete Barriers to Inclusion

The oversight is not just about missing ramps. It is a structural failure to imagine the disabled fan as part of the audience. The issue extends beyond the stands to the washrooms, ticketing areas, and emergency exits. In Arusha, the minister had to issue a last-minute directive to "incorporate" these facilities—an afterthought that often results in clumsy, undignified solutions.

• The Legal Mandate: Both Kenyan and Tanzanian laws mandate universal access in public buildings. Ignoring this is not just bad design; it is illegal.
• The Pamoja Spirit: How can we claim to host a "United" tournament when a significant segment of our population is physically barred from entering the gates?

A Warning to Nairobi

The clock is ticking. With CAF inspectors watching closely, East Africa cannot afford these unforced errors. The contractors pouring concrete in Nairobi and Eldoret must pause and ask: "Can everyone enter here?" If the answer is no, then the stadium is not finished. We must build for all Kenyans, not just the able-bodied.