Kenya Budget 2025/2026: AFCON 2027 Concerns after Government Slashes Sports Funding
- Kenya's hopes of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations have taken a hit after sports funds were slashed in the 2025/26 budget
- Kenya is required to pay the AFCON hosting rights fee by April 2026, but there are uncertainties about the payment
- Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 2027 AFCON, and preparations have been ongoing
Kenya's hopes of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are in jeopardy following a significant reduction in sports funding in the 2025/26 budget.
Source: Twitter
Is AFCON 2027 hosting at risk for Kenya?
Kenya will co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania. Venues, including Talaanta Stadium, are undergoing construction or renovations
As preparations progress, concerns have been raised over the tournament's funding after it emerged that sports funding has been significantly reduced.
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The proposed budget for the upcoming financial year was presented to parliament this week, and it showed a KSh 1.1 billion cut to the State Department for Sports, per Citizen Digital. The 2025/26 budget totals KSh 4.29 trillion.
The revised budget presented by the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) slashed the proposed KSh 18.59 billion to KSh 17.46 billion.
"Kenya is scheduled to host AFCON 2027 alongside Tanzania and Uganda. However, there is no provision in the proposed annual estimates for payment of hosting rights amounting to Sh3.9 billion, which should be paid by April 2026," the committee said.
The BAC did not include any funds for the AFCON hosting rights fee, putting Kenya's chances to co-host the tournament in jeopardy. They added that no funds will be provided to ministries in the current fiscal year.
Kenya is also co-hosting the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in August, and the country is rushing to complete venues, including Nyayo and Kasarani.
What’s the status of Kenya's AFCON 2027 preparations?"
Talanta Stadium, Kenya's new stadium, is expected to be completed early next year, according to Defence Cabinet Secretary, Soipan Tuya. It is one of Kenya's biggest sports projects in decades.
“I am happy with the progress being made here. I am optimistic we’ll beat the December date,” President William Ruto said in April.
Source: UGC
In April, Tuya inspected Talanta Stadium, which is 45% complete, according to the Ministry of Defence. However, a fraction of the funds needed to complete the facility have been paid.
Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums have been undergoing renovations for the last few months, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said they will be complete later this month.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe inspected the three venues in September 2024. The 2027 edition will be held between June and July.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) appointed Benni McCarthy to build a team that will compete at the tournament. The South African registered his first win earlier this week against Chad in a friendly in Morocco.
Harambee Stars coach opens up on World Cup dream
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Harambee Stars assistant coach Vasili Manousakis spoke on Kenya's 2026 World Cup hopes.
Manousakis said that McCarthy believed there was a chance for Kenya to qualify for the tournament.
Harambee Stars have won one game in the qualifiers and are 10 points behind leaders Ivory Coast with four games remaining.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
