Govt remits Ksh3.9B CAF fee in readiness for AFCON 2027
By William Muthama, March 31, 2026The Government of Kenya has officially fulfilled its financial and institutional obligations to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), securing the country’s role as a co-host for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, through his X account, confirmed that the government had remitted the required Ksh 3.9 billion hosting fee, marking a key milestone in Kenya’s preparations for the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“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 read.
In the few days leading up to the payment, there had been growing concerns among Kenyan fans after Kenya had not met its financial obligations on time.
Government coordination and oversight
According to the Cabinet Secretary, to ensure seamless planning, the government has established a restructured Multi-Agency Local Organising Committee.
This committee will bring together officials from both public and private sectors to oversee logistics, operations, security, and other critical aspects of the tournament.
“This multi-sectoral approach ensures Kenya’s institutions are fully prepared to meet the scale and complexity of hosting an event of AFCON’s magnitude,” Mvurya stated.
The Cabinet Secretary also noted that following CAF’s inspection report, the government has committed to fast-tracking upgrades to stadiums, training facilities, transport systems, and security protocols.
Broadcast and operational standards will also be improved to meet international expectations.
“Every recommendation will be addressed with precision and urgency, ensuring Kenya is ready to deliver a tournament that meets both continental and global standards,” Mvurya emphasised
Economic and regional impact
AFCON 2027 presents opportunities beyond football. According to Mvurya, the government views the tournament as a chance to boost Kenya’s global sporting profile, empower youth, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
“We are working on streamlined visa facilitation, customs procedures, tax exemptions, and smooth cross-border movement for teams, officials, fans, and tournament-related goods across the co-hosting countries,” he added.
With the Ksh 3.9 billion payment complete, Kenya has removed a major hurdle in its co-hosting journey. According to the Cabinet Secretary, focus now turns to finalising infrastructure and operational systems ahead of the tournament.
“We remain fully committed to delivering a world-class AFCON 2027 that meets and exceeds continental and global expectations,” Mvurya concluded.
The competition is scheduled to be played from January 10 to February 10, 2027.