CS Mvurya Responds To Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Hosting Fee Delay Amid Concerns
The government has assured Kenyans that the country is ready to host the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following fears that Kenya risked losing its hosting rights due to financial constraints.
The response follows reports that the country is at risk of losing the tournament’s hosting rights if the government fails to pay the Ksh3.9 billion hosting fee by March 30, this year.
Speaking at the Senate on Tuesday, March 24, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya gave an assurance that Kenya remains fully committed and on track to co-host the continental tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“As Kenya also prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations, which we will be hosting together with Uganda and Tanzania, I know over the last few days there have been a lot of reports here and there,” he commented.
“I want to assure all Kenyans and international stakeholders, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF), that Kenya is ready to host AFCON,” said Mvurya.
Mvurya noted that the payment of the hosting fees was part of the broader preparation process and emphasised that the government had already put mechanisms in place to address them.
“The matters of financing and hosting fees are part of the preparation process,” he stated.
“I want to assure you that we are already engaging very closely with our Committee of Parliament.”
Adding, “We are also engaging the National Treasury, and there is no doubt we will be able to meet our obligation.”
The CS reiterated that his ministry is actively coordinating with other government institutions, including the Treasury, to ensure all requirements are met within the stipulated timelines.
The latest update comes hardly five days after Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi urged lawmakers to intervene to ensure the timely payment of the AFCON hosting fees.
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According to Mwangi, CAF had made it clear that timely payment is a key indicator of Kenya’s commitment to hosting the continental sports tournament.
The PS was stated this while appearing before parliament’s sports committee on Friday, March 20.
“CAF are very particular that we must show commitment by contributing,” Mwangi reiterated.
“So I am seeking this Committee to kindly consider this Supplementary Budget in conjunction with the Treasury to have the 2026/2027 budget brought forward.”
The latest development comes hardly 15 months before the start of the competition, which is expected to commence in July next year and is jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
CS Mvurya Responds To Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Hosting Fee Delay Amid Concerns
