The government feels confident it can meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deadlines for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi admitted that the country hasn’t yet paid its primary hosting fee. Kenya must provide $30 million (around KSh 3.9 billion) by March 30, 2026.
Mwangi clarified that the delay stems from budget protocols rather than a lack of money. He pointed out that the government follows a specific financial structure, and the current budget does not include these funds.
“To address this, the State Department for Sports has already engaged the National Treasury, with plans to include the amount in the supplementary budget. This process will ensure that the payment is made within the stipulated timeline.”
He added that this plan followed meetings with the National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee, led by Dan Wanyama. The team reviewed whether the 2025/26 budget could cover Kenya’s AFCON duties.
Mwangi believes Parliament will greenlight the supplementary budget soon, allowing the government to release the money before the deadline. He assured the public there is no need for concern, stating that the country remains fully committed to its hosting duties.
“We are on the right track and should not be worried about hosting AFCON. We have less than 10 days, and we are confident that the supplementary budget will be passed and the funds released,” he said.
The PS also mentioned that the revised budget allocates over KSh 4.8 billion to the sports department for various projects. Even so, he noted that meeting AFCON’s requirements is the top priority as Kenya prepares to host a successful continental event.
It is worth noting that Kenya is currently the only partner in the “Pamoja” bid that hasn’t paid; Uganda and Tanzania have already settled their fees. Additionally, reports indicate that construction at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums has recently slowed or stalled due to billions in unpaid debts to contractors, adding extra pressure to this March 30 deadline.
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