Insights At a Glance:
- VAR and goal-line tech in Kenya are being installed ahead of CHAN tournament.
- Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums will be the first to benefit.
- AFCON 2027 is on the horizon, but will the tech stick around for FKF league matches for 2025/26 season?
Video Assistant Referee aka VAR and goal-line tech in Kenya are no longer just a wish or a headline from abroad. They’re real, and they’re arriving soon. Ahead of the upcoming CHAN tournament, the much-awaited VAR and goal-line technology (GLT) systems are being delivered and will soon be installed at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums.
This marks a massive step forward for Kenyan football, and for tech-savvy fans who’ve long wanted to see the beautiful game made more fair, transparent, and… well… less drama-filled. With this, it means no more ghost goals, questionable offsides, or dramatic referee decisions going unchecked. Finally, we’re stepping into the future of football.
The Future of Officiating with VAR and Goal-Line Tech in Kenya
The arrival of VAR and goal-line tech in Kenya means an end (hopefully!) to those notorious “was that really a goal?” moments and heart-breaking offside calls. These systems will bring the same high-level tech seen at the World Cup, AFCON, and top European leagues right to our local turf.
If you’ve been keeping up with how football and innovation are merging, you’ll remember our recent piece on Top 3 Tech Innovations at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. With this move, Kenya isn’t just watching global trends. We’re becoming part of them.
According to sources, the offside technology component is expected to be confirmed soon, and it will support the full VAR suite used globally.
And let’s be honest: this couldn’t come at a better time.
From 2018 to 2025, VAR and Goal-Line Tech in Kenya are Finally a Reality
Back in 2018, Techish Kenya was already discussing the potential of VAR in football. But the idea of actually seeing VAR and goal-line tech in Kenya felt like a long shot. Fast forward to now, and we’re finally seeing that vision take shape. Sure, this is happening because Kenya is hosting an international tournament. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting. If anything, it shows what’s possible when sport and tech get the right kind of support.
A Long Time Coming
As a Kenyan techie and football fan, this is probably the most exciting development in local football in, well, forever. Sure, we don’t have the full timeline yet, but the fact that this tech is landing in Nairobi means we’re on the right track. It’s the kind of upgrade that comes with hosting big international tournaments like CHAN, and looking ahead to AFCON 2027, it might just be the beginning of more consistent tech adoption in local football.
But here’s the real kicker: Will FKF maintain the system after CHAN? Will VAR and goal-line tech become permanent fixtures at Kasarani and Nyayo? Or will it only come out for big continental matches while staying tucked away during league games?
Let’s just say… it wouldn’t be shocking if the systems were shelved after the tournament “for maintenance” or “budget reasons.” You know how these things can go. But even then, today is a win.
With AFCON 2027 also coming to Kenya, the odds are better than usual that these systems will stay in use. But for local FKF Premier League matches to benefit, we’ll need more than hope. We’ll need proper planning, maintenance, and a federation willing to integrate the systems long-term.
Still, even if it starts small, only being used in high-profile matches or derbies, the arrival of VAR and goal-line tech in Kenya is a meaningful shift in the right direction.
This moment is a reminder that technology isn’t just about flashy phones or AI bots. It’s also about fairness, accuracy, and enhancing the game we love. As the football tech community continues to grow in Kenya, moments like this reinforce how innovation touches every corner of our lives, including the pitch.
For Kenyan football fans who also happen to love tech, this is a dream come true. The arrival of VAR and goal-line Tech in Kenya isn’t just about fixing refereeing errors; it’s about aligning with a global football culture that values fairness and accuracy. But the real challenge begins after CHAN.
Today, though, we celebrate. Because the moment we see that first goal confirmed by goal-line technology, or a red card overturned after a VAR review at Nyayo, we’ll know Kenyan football has truly entered a new era. So next time you hear someone rant about a bad decision during next season’s Mashemeji derby between Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards, maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to shout back, “VAR!”
Here’s hoping.
