Will Kenya Pay KSh 3.9 Billion in Time? Government Breaks Silence on AFCON 2027 Hosting Fee

The Kenyan government has expressed confidence in meeting key Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), particularly the payment of the KSh 3.9 billion hosting fee.

Speaking on the country’s preparedness, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, assured that Kenya still has adequate time to comply with CAF’s deadlines.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Mwangi revealed that discussions between the State Department for Sports and the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture had already yielded a plan to secure the required funds through the supplementary budget.

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

He clarified that the delay is not due to a lack of funds, but rather because the amount was not initially included in the current budget.

“We don’t feel it is a big problem because the government has money. The issue is that the money is not in our current budget. This being a supplementary period, we felt the money should be put in the supplementary budget. The government works systematically, and now that this is a supplementary period, we wanted to bring the issue so that we honour that obligation,” he explained.

Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja bid, won the rights to host AFCON 2027. However, Mwangi noted that while Uganda and Tanzania have already paid their contributions, Kenya is racing against time to meet the March 30 deadline. Despite concerns, the PS moved to reassure Kenyans that everything is on track.

“For Kenyans, there’s no need to worry about hosting the AFCON because there is time. We have over 10 days, and within that time, we know the supplementary will have been passed, and we shall submit the money to CAF,” he said.

He added that once the supplementary budget is approved, the required funds will be allocated and remitted promptly.

Mwangi had previously warned that failure to raise the hosting fee in time could jeopardise Kenya’s role in hosting the continental tournament.

"The gains we have made in preparing for AFCON may be jeopardised if we are not able to raise Ksh3.9 billion by that date. The communications we have had from CAF are very particular that we must show commitment, and one of the commitments is payment of the hosting contribution."

Beyond the hosting fee, infrastructure remains a key concern, with major delays reported in the renovation of key venues.

Mwangi disclosed that both Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium risk missing CAF’s six-month completion deadline due to financial constraints.

At Kasarani, the contractor has scaled down operations due to unpaid government debts exceeding KSh3.7 billion.

"At Kasarani Stadium, we owe the contractor in excess of Ksh3.7 billion, and they have scaled back their workforce. With that, we feel we may not be ready within the six months," Mwangi stated.

The situation is even more critical at Nyayo Stadium, where the contractor has reportedly abandoned the site over an unpaid bill of more than KSh2.6 billion.

With the clock ticking, the government is now under pressure to fast-track both financial commitments and infrastructure upgrades to ensure Kenya meets CAF requirements.

Even so, officials remain optimistic that the necessary steps will be taken in time to secure the country’s role in hosting AFCON 2027.