Kenya set to meet AFCON 2027 hosting fee deadline

Sports PS Elijah Mwangi at Mjini mosque in Murang'a town during Eid-ul-fitr celebrations/ ALICE WAITHERA

Kenya will meet the March 30 deadline to pay its hosting fee for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said.

The PS sought to reassure Kenyans against concerns over possible delays that could jeopardise the country’s role in the joint East African bid.

Mwangi explained that although the Sh3.5 billion hosting fee has not yet been paid, the funds are available and will be released once Parliament approves the supplementary budget.

He noted that the State Department for Sports on Thusrday presented its case before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture that is chaired by MP Dan Wanyama and that members acknowledged the urgency of the payment.

According to Mwangi, funds to help the government to prepare for the continental sports were not allocated in the 2025/2026 but were to be allocated in the 2026/2027 budget.

As a result, the ministry has sought to have the amount transferred to the supplementary budget that has been tabled in the national assembly for review and adoption.

“The government has the money this only that it is not within our current budget,” he said, adding that the budgeting process requires formal reallocation before any disbursement can be made.

Kenya is co-hosting the 2027 tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja AFCON 2027 bid, marking the first time the region will stage Africa’s premier football competition.

The two partner states have already settled their hosting fees, placing pressure on Kenya to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deadline and avoid risking its participation in the historic event.

The Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s biggest football tournament, featuring 24 national teams and attracting a global audience of hundreds of millions.

The competition, held every two years, generates significant revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorships and tourism.

For host nations, it also serves as a catalyst for infrastructure development especially stadium upgrades, transport networks and hospitality facilities.

The three countries tested their joint hosting capabilities during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition reserved for players featuring in their domestic leagues, with matches drawing thousands of fans and offering a preview of the region’s readiness to host larger continental events.

While the tournament exposed gaps in infrastructure and coordination, it also demonstrated the potential of regional collaboration, with improved transport links, security coordination and fan engagement across borders.

Kenya last hosted a major continental football event in 1987 when it staged the All-Africa Games football matches, and has since struggled with infrastructure and governance challenges in sports.

The joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania represents a major milestone for the region and is widely seen as an opportunity to pool resources and share the financial and logistical burden of hosting.

Mwangi who spoke at Mjini mosque in Murang’a where he donated Sh250,000 and foodstuffs to Muslims expressed confidence that Kenya will not fall behind its partners, noting that there are still about ten days before the deadline.

He said the National Treasury is expected to fast-track the release of funds once the supplementary budget is approved by Parliament.

 “We are on the right track, and Kenyans should not be worried. Within the available timeframe, we are confident the money will be paid,” he said.

Beyond the hosting fee, Kenya faces additional obligations, including upgrading key stadiums such as Kasarani and Nyayo to meet CAF standards as well as improving training facilities and accommodation infrastructure.

The government has already committed billions of shillings toward these projects as part of its broader sports development agenda.