The government of Kenya has expressed confidence they will meet key Confederation of African Football (CAF) deadline day requirements in regards to hosting Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
Kenya is facing a March 30 deadline to pay Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) fee for hosting the 2027 AFCON, with officials warning the rights could be lost, while partners Tanzania and Uganda have paid the required fee.
“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,” Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said in a recent interview.
“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.”
AFCON budget not in current budget
Elijah Mwangi has now confirmed there was adequate time provided by CAF to Kenya to comply with key requirements chief among them the payment of ksh 3.9 billion as requisite hosting fee.
While giving a brief on the status of Kenya’s preparedness for 2027 FCON, the PS stated the discussions between the department and Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture resolved to write and request the National Treasury to allocate the money that will cater for AFCON hosting fee as a matter of priority.
“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,” said PS Mwangi.
The PS further noted that as Pamoja nations, Kenya placed a bid for hosting AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The latter two have already paid but Kenya has until March 30 to pay the required monies.
