Kenya’s plans to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have hit a major financial roadblock after the government failed to allocate funds for the hosting rights fee in the latest national budget.
The proposed 2025–2026 budget, presented to Parliament this week, shows a Ksh.1.1 billion reduction in funding for the State Department for Sports. The total budget was cut from the initially proposed Ksh.18.59 billion to Ksh.. 17.46 billion. As a result, the Ksh.3.9 billion that had been earmarked for Kenya’s AFCON co-hosting rights fee is now missing from the budget plan.
This omission has heightened doubts over Kenya’s readiness to host international events, especially as it prepares to co-host the continent’s premier football tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The missing allocation brings into question Kenya’s financial commitment and preparedness just two years ahead of the tournament.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Kenya is legally required to pay the hosting rights fee by April 2026. In a formal submission to the National Assembly on May 19, 2025, Mvurya emphasized the urgency of this payment, citing drafted agreements that need to be signed and fulfilled.
“The hosting agreements for AFCON 2027 have been drafted and require signing, along with the settlement of Sh3.9 billion. Kenya is obligated to pay the hosting rights fee by April 2026. This amount has not been provided in the financial year 2025/26 budget estimates,” the ministry clarified in the official statement.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture has raised concerns over the missing funds, warning that the lack of payment could jeopardize Kenya’s role in the tournament. However, the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), which presented the final budget version, made no recommendations to fill the funding gap. It also ruled out any extra allocations to ministries during this budget cycle.
With less than a year until the payment deadline and the tournament approaching quickly, the absence of clear funding strategies has added to growing uncertainty. Whether Kenya will meet its obligations and maintain its AFCON 2027 hosting status now depends on future government action and possible mid-year budget reviews.
By Yockshard Enyendi