Why Kenya Risks Losing AFCON 2027 Hosting Rights

Kenya risks losing the hosting rights to the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) if it does not pay the hosting fee of Ksh 3.9 billion by March 30, 2026.

This is according to Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, who appeared before the Sports and Culture Committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, for the 2025/2026 Supplementary Estimates.

The PS during the meeting requested that the Committee ask the National Treasury to move the allocation amounting to Ksh 5 billion towards the games projected in the 2026/27 Budget Policy Statement forward to this Supplementary.

“We have received communication from CAF giving the timelines on the activities that should be done in readiness to host the CHAN. We appreciate the NT because in the 2026/2027 BPS, there was an allocation of around Ksh 5billion, 3.5 billion being the hosting fees. But in the light of the recent communication from CAF, we have been given upto 30th of March to clear the payment of hosting fees,” the PS said.

Sports Ministry Decries Lack of AFCON 2027 Hosting Funds Ahead of Payment Deadline

According to the PS, Kenya’s co-hosting partners,  Tanzania and Uganda, have already paid their required fees, raising concerns that the progress Kenya has made so far toward hosting the tournament could be at risk.

“CAF are very particular that we must show commitment by contributing. So I am seeking this Committee to kindly consider this Supplementary in conjunction with the NT to have the 206/2027 budget brought forward,” added the PS.

Also Read: Senegal Rejects CAF Decision to Strip AFCON 2025 Title

At the same time, he disclosed to the Committee that the infrastructure expected to host the games may also not be ready in six months due to pending bills owed to the contractors engaged during the 2024 CHAN games.

Wanyama, while reacting to the PS request, assured the State Department that the Committee will push NT to release the hosting funds.

“We’ve heard you, and we will push Treasury to release money for the hosting rights so that we do not get into the quagmire of us being denied to host AFCON, and then we give a chance to our neighbours to do so. It will be a big shame to Kenya, which has always been a big brother in the region,” the Chairperson said.

Also Read: Senegal to Appeal After CAF Awarded AFCON 2025 Title to Morocco

About the Tournament

Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with neighboring Uganda and Tanzania under the “East Africa Pamoja Bid.”

The tournament will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027, marking the first time three nations jointly host AFCON and its return to East Africa in over 50 years, since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.

A total of 24 teams will compete across 12 venues in 10 host cities.

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AFCON trophy that was won by Senegal. PHOTO/Getty Images