 | |
 Interactive map of Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the "Home of Heroes" | |
| Full name | Moi International Sports Centre |
|---|---|
| Location | Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Coordinates | 1°13′41″S36°53′26″E / 1.22806°S 36.89056°E /-1.22806; 36.89056 |
| 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 | |
TheMoi International Sports Centre (abbreviated asMISC, locally referred to as theKasarani stadium) is amulti-purpose stadium inKasarani, Kenya. It was built in 1987 for theAll-Africa Games held inNairobi. The facilities include a 48,063-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]
During avisit to China in 1980, Kenyan PresidentDaniel arap Moi requested thatChina 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 worthKSh.900 million, funded by a grant to theGovernment of Kenya by theGovernment 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 the2017 World U18 Championships in Athletics[11] and2021 World Athletics U20 Championships.[citation needed]
The stadium was closed for renovations in 2024, due to it selection to host theCHAN 2024 early in 2025, as well as the2027 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]
The main arena is used by theKenya national football team for most of its home games, as well asKenyan Premier League sidesMathare United andTusker F.C.[citation needed]
Since 2013 theSafari Sevens rugby union tournament has been hosted at the Kasarani Stadium.[citation needed]
For sponsorship reasons, the stadium was known asSafaricom Stadium Kasarani.[12]
The indoor arena seats 5,000 and hostsvolleyball,gymnastics,basketball,badminton,boxing,wrestling,martial arts andtable tennis.[citation needed]
For sponsorship reasons, the arena is also known asSafaricom Indoor Arena.[citation needed]
This arena consists of an Olympiccompetition pool 1.25 metres in depth, a recreational public diving pool and a children's pool.[citation needed]
This is a 108-room hotel located within the centre.[citation needed]
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(October 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| 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 |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| Preceded by | Rollball World Cup venue 2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | All-Africa Games Main stadium 1987 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | IAAF World U18 Championships stadium 2017 | Succeeded by None Games abolished |
1°13′47.9″S36°53′32.6″E / 1.229972°S 36.892389°E /-1.229972; 36.892389