A view of a section of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya has just 12 days to pay the US$30million (equivalent to Sh3.9 billion) in hosting rights fees for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, or risk being stripped of the rights to co-host the tournament with her East African neighbours.
Uganda and Tanzania, who will co-host the tournament with Kenya under the East Africa (EA) Pamoja Bid, have already made the payment.
Speaking yesterday when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi revealed that Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given Kenya until March 30 to clear the payment.
He noted that making the payment is part of the country’s commitment to co-host the 36th edition of Afcon, and warned that failure to beat the set deadline could put Kenya in great danger of losing the rights to co-host the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania.
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“In the light of recent communication from CAF, we have been given up to March 30 to clear the payment of the hosting fees,” said Mwangi.
General view during the opening ceremony before Group ‘A’ match of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco on December 21, 2025.
“We are aware that our Pamoja countries of Uganda and Tanzania have paid but Kenya is yet to pay the $30 million (Sh3.9 billion)…Therefore, the gains which we have so far made in preparations for Afcon maybe in jeopardy if we are not able to raise Sh3.9 billion by March 30. CAF is very particular that we must show commitment, and one of the commitments is the payment of the hosting contributions,” he added.
The PS stated that while the funds were factored in the 2026/27 national budget, his team is seeking to have the money included in the 2025/26 supplementary budget due to strict deadline from CAF.
CAF uses the hosting rights fees to cater for several expenses, including paying allowances for its officials, air tickets for teams, accommodation and meals. Mwangi also raised concerns that Kenya may not have its facilities ready for the tournament within the six-month timeline set by CAF due to funding constraints.
An exterior view of the under-construction 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium in Nairobi, which will be one of the venues of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
He noted that the contractor at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani which is one of the designated match venues in the country, has reduced workforce over an outstanding Sh3.7billion debt.
At Nyayo National Stadium which is earmarked as one of the training venues, he said the contractor has abandoned the site due to a Sh2.6 billion debt.
“At Kasarani Stadium, we owe the contractor in excess of Sh3.7 billion and the contractor has really reduced his work force. With that we feel that we may not be ready for the tournament within six months, which is the deadline which was given by CAF to have the competitions and training venues ready,” said the PS.
“Equally, we contracted at Nyayo National Stadium during 2024 Chan, and we have not paid in excess of Sh2. 6 billion, leave alone the additional work of putting canopy. The contractor has already vacated the site, and we have nothing to show for as of today in terms of the preparation for that training field,” he added.
National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture chairman Dan Wan-yama promised that they would engage the Treasury to release funds for the hosting rights fees.
President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga share a light moment with Harambee Stars team captain Aboud Omar after Kenya beat Zambia 1-0 in a Group 'A' match of the 2024 African Nations Championship at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 17, 2025.
“We have heard you, we will push the Treasury to release money particularly for the hosting rights so that we do not get into the quagmire of us being denied to host Afcon. Actually it will be a big shame to Kenya because we have always been the big brother in this region,” Wanyama, who also Webuye West MP, said.
Kenya was awarded and later stripped of the hosting rights for the 1996 Afcon, and the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (Chan).
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