Government provides update on payment of 2027 AFCON hosting fees
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 21.03.26. | 20:10
Kenya is set to co-host the 2027 tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja AFCON 2027 bid
Kenya will meet the Monday, 30 March deadline to pay its hosting fee for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has reiterated.
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Mwangi spoke on Friday, 20 March in Murang’a, where he attended Eid Mubarak prayers and celebrations at Masjid Taqwa in Mjini, Mukuyu.
He moved to reassure the public amid concerns that delays in payment could affect the country’s hosting rights in the joint East African bid.
The PS confirmed that although the Ksh3.5 billion fee has not yet been paid, the funds are available and will be released once Parliament approves a supplementary budget.
“The government has the money; it is only that it is not within our current budget,” Mwangi said, and explained that a formal budget reallocation is required before any funds can be disbursed.
The State Department for Sports presented its case before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture on Thursday, with Mwangi noting that members of the committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, acknowledged the urgency of the matter.
According to the Principal Secretary, funding for preparations of the continental tournament had not been included in the 2025/2026 financial year but was instead planned for the 2026/2027 budget.
As a result, the Ministry has sought to move the funds into the supplementary budget currently under review in Parliament.
Kenya is set to co-host the 2027 tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the Pamoja AFCON 2027 bid, marking the first time the region will stage Africa’s premier football competition.
However, both Uganda and Tanzania have already paid their hosting fees, which piles pressure on Kenya to meet the deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Mwangi, however, remained confident that Kenya would not fall behind its partners.
“We are on the right track, and Kenyans should not be worried. Within the available timeframe, we are confident the money will be paid,” he said.
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The Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s biggest football tournament, featuring 24 national teams and attracting a global audience of hundreds of millions.
Held every two years, it generates significant revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorship and tourism.
Hosting the tournament is also expected to boost infrastructure development, including stadium upgrades, transport networks and hospitality facilities.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania tested their joint hosting capacity during the 2024 African Nations Championship staged in 2025, where Morocco were crowned champions after beating Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium.