Kenya finally meets CAF obligations ahead of 2027 AFCON

The Kenyan government has confirmed clearing all their financial obligations to Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The East African nation were facing a deadline day of March 30 to clear the financial balance and get the rights to host the tournament.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚:
Sports CS Salim Mvurya has confirmed the government has secured and is remitting the KSh 3.9Bhosting fee to CAF, ensuring Kenya retains its 2027 AFCON co-hosting rights.

The funds, covering the required fee for the Pamoja Bid with Uganda and Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/j8kEB7sCk0

— theHubTV (@theHubTVke) March 31, 2026

Seven days ago, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the Ministry was working closely with all the relevant bodies including the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and the National Treasury as part of Whole-of-Government-Approach towards availing all resources required for hosting the continental tournament.

On Tuesday, Mvurya confirmed the government had met fully financial obligations to CAF as Kenya steadily advanced towards co-hosting the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda, and Tanzania, who had already paid the fee.

Below is the statement from the Ministry of Sports;

“I am pleased to announce that the Government of Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as we steadily advance towards co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“In fulfilment of our commitments, the Government has remitted the requisite USD 30 million hosting fee to CAF, reaffirming Kenya’s credibility, readiness, and unwavering commitment to delivering a successful continental tournament.”

The statement added: “Further, the Government has constituted a restructured Multi-Agency Local Organizing Committee, bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors across all critical areas of delivery. This multi-sectoral approach is deliberate, ensuring that our institutional capacity is fully aligned with the scale, complexity, and urgency of preparations required to host a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude.

“Following the CAF inspection report, we will be embarking on accelerated implementation of all infrastructure and operational compliance requirements. These include the fast-tracked construction and upgrading of match venues, training facilities, transport and logistics systems, as well as safety, security, and broadcast standards. This is a routine but critical process in the hosting cycle, and Kenya is addressing each recommendation with precision, urgency, and accountability.

“This milestone reflects the firm commitment of H.E. President William Ruto to position our Kenya as a premier destination for global sporting events and leverage sports as a catalyst for economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation, and international prestige.”

The statement concluded: “As the Pamoja AFCON co-hosting countries, we remain fully committed to delivering a world-class AFCON 2027 that will not only meet but exceed continental and global expectations.

“We will be convening next month to deliberate on the establishment of a harmonized framework to support the implementation of visa facilitation mechanisms to enable ease of movement for teams, officials, fans, and stakeholders across our borders, coordinated tax exemptions, customs facilitation measures, and streamlined clearance procedures for all goods, services, and activities directly related to AFCON.”

2027 edition first to be hosted by three countries

Kenya is hosting AFCON next year alongside Uganda and Tanzania in a pamoja East Africa bid. As part of the hosting requirements, Kenya is set to pay sh 3.9 billion as mandatory hosting fee.

CAF demanded the rehabilitation of the sports facilities that will be used to host the tournament. Already, the 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium is over 87 percent complete and is poised to be the main stadium for the AFCON matches.

The Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani will be a venue for AFCON matches while Nyayo National Stadium will be used as team’s training ground.

The 36th edition of the African football tournament organised by CAF as a biennial tournament, will be staged between June 19 and July 18, 2027.

This edition of the AFCON will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.