Kenya assures CAF it will meet AFCON 2027 hosting deadlin

The Kenyan government has moved to reassure stakeholders that it will meet critical Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements as the countdown intensifies towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country is set to co-host.

Authorities insist there is confidence within government circles that all obligations will be fulfilled before the March 30 deadline, a key date that could determine whether Kenya retains its place in the tournament’s hosting trio alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The pressure stems from a mandatory hosting fee of Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million), which must be paid to CAF as part of the agreement. While Uganda and Tanzania have already settled their share, Kenya is still working to meet its financial commitment.

Urgent financial deadline and CAF expectations

Speaking on the issue, Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, acknowledged the urgency surrounding the deadline and the implications of any delay.

“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 have paid but Kenya is yet to pay its share of about 3.9 billion,” Mwangi stated.

He added that failure to meet the requirement could undermine months of preparation and jeopardise Kenya’s place in the tournament.

“And therefore, the gains we have made so far 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.”

Budget adjustments and parliamentary engagement

Mwangi clarified that the issue is not a lack of funds but rather the timing of budget allocation. The government has already initiated steps to secure the required funding through a supplementary budget process.

Following discussions with the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture, it was agreed that a formal request would be submitted to the National Treasury to prioritise the AFCON payment.

“We have until the 30th March to pay the Ksh 3.9 billion AFCON hosting fee and I am glad during our appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on Sports, we agreed to write and request treasury for that money in the supplementary,” he explained.

The proposal reflects efforts to ensure that the hosting fee is incorporated into the revised national budget, allowing the government to meet its obligations within the stipulated timeframe.

Confidence despite financial hurdles

Mwangi sought to calm concerns, stressing that Kenya remains financially capable of meeting the requirement, with the delay attributed solely to procedural matters within the budgeting cycle.

“We don’t feel it is a big problem because the government has money. The issue is the money is not in our current budget,” he noted.

“This being a supplementary period, we felt the money should be put in the supplementary budget.”

He further expressed confidence that once the supplementary budget is approved, the payment will be processed without further complications.

Public reassurance and continental significance

Mwangi also addressed growing public anxiety, urging Kenyans to remain calm as the government works to meet CAF’s expectations.

“There is no need for worrying. There is adequate time to get the money and pay before March 30th. Kenyans should not be worried.”

The 2027 AFCON, scheduled from June 19 to July 18, represents a historic milestone for East Africa. It will be the first edition of the tournament hosted by three nations and the first in five decades to be staged in the CECAFA region, since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.

The competition will also mark the 70th anniversary of AFCON and is expected to be the final edition held in an odd-numbered year, following CAF’s decision to shift the tournament to a four-year cycle starting in 2028.