Kenya faces risk of losing AFCON 2027 hosting rights over delayed payment

Kenya could lose its role as co-host of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if it fails to meet a key financial deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), a senior government official has warned.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that the country must pay Ksh3.9bn ($30m) by 30 March 2026 as part of the joint “East Africa Pamoja” bid with Uganda and Tanzania.

Failure to settle the fee on time, he said, would cast doubt on Kenya’s readiness to stage the tournament and could jeopardise its position as a host nation.

“We have been given up to 30th of March to clear the payment of the hosting fees. We are aware that our ‘Pamoja’ countries of Uganda and Tanzania they have paid but Kenya is yet to pay its share of about 3.9 billion.

“And therefore the gains that we have so far made in preparations for AFCON may be jeopardised if we are not able to raise 3.9 billion by 30th of March and the communications we have had from CAF, they are very particular that we must show commitment.

And one of the commitment is payment of the hosting contribution. If we are not able to raise that then our hosting will be jeopardised,” PS Mwangi told MPs.

Uganda and Tanzania have already paid their contributions, leaving Kenya as the only partner yet to fulfil the requirement.

Mwangi also raised concerns about delays in upgrading key sporting infrastructure, warning that major stadium projects may miss CAF’s timelines.

He said renovation work at Kasarani Stadium had slowed significantly due to an outstanding debt of more than Ksh3.7bn, forcing the contractor to scale down operations. At Nyayo Stadium, he added, work had stalled completely after the contractor withdrew over unpaid dues exceeding Ksh2.6bn.

“…of Kasarani Stadium, we owe the contractor in excess of Ksh3.7 billion. And the contractor has realigned—reduced his workforce. And with that, we feel that we may not be ready within six months, the deadline that was given by CAF to have the competition and training venues ready.

“Equally, the Nyayo, we have not paid in excess of Ksh2.6 billion to the contractor who was contracted, let alone additional works of putting canopy. And the contractor has already vacated the site. Therefore, we have nothing to show,” he added.

The funding concerns come weeks after MPs rejected a proposal by the Sports Ministry to increase its AFCON budget from Ksh3.5bn to Ksh5bn, citing insufficient justification.

The ministry had requested the additional allocation through a supplementary budget to help meet its obligations to CAF. In defending the proposal, Mwangi said a benchmarking visit to the last AFCON tournament in Morocco showed Kenya needed increased funding to meet required standards.

However, lawmakers argued that co-hosting the competition with Uganda and Tanzania should reduce the financial strain on each country.

Despite declining the request, the committee said it would support efforts to engage the National Treasury to secure the necessary funds.

According to the Budget Policy Statement, the Sports Department’s proposed allocation for the 2026/27 financial year is Ksh25.49bn, including Ksh7.38bn for recurrent spending and Ksh18.11bn for development.