By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, July 14, 2026 - President William Ruto has received the CAF President's Outstanding Achievement Award 2025, with the Confederation of African Football recognising Kenya's accelerated investment in sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The award was formally presented to the President at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed during the flag-off ceremony for the Harambee Starlets heading to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the Harambee Starlets Under-17 team bound for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
The honour, conferred by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, recognises Ruto's leadership in advancing preparations for the 2027 AFCON tournament through major investments in stadiums and supporting infrastructure.
Although the award was first presented in absentia during the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco, it was officially handed to the President in person on Tuesday.
The recognition comes as Kenya intensifies preparations to co-host the continental tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Among the flagship projects is the construction of the Talanta Sports City Stadium, while the government is also modernising the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium to meet CAF standards.
Beyond stadium construction, the government has expanded investment in transport, healthcare and security infrastructure to support the tournament.
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Recent projects include the 820-metre Ngong Road-Naivasha Road flyover near Talanta Sports City, commissioned in June, while plans are underway to build a Nyayo Stadium railway station to improve connectivity between Nairobi's central business district and the tournament venues.
Authorities are also working with regional partners on proposals to introduce a single-entry visa for fans travelling across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania during the championship, alongside measures to streamline customs procedures and strengthen broadcasting and logistics networks.
CAF's Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to Heads of State and other leaders who make exceptional contributions to the development of football across Africa through investments in infrastructure, institutional growth and successful hosting of major tournaments.
With the latest recognition, Ruto joins a select group of African leaders honoured by CAF, including Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Cameroon's Paul Biya, Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Morocco's King Mohammed VI.