The government requires an additional KSh 11.02 billion to complete key stadium projects earmarked for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), amid concerns that delays could affect Kenya’s hosting commitments.
The funding gap was revealed during a presentation before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture by Elijah Mwangi, the PS for the State Department for Sports.
The session focused on the FY 2026/27 budget estimates for the sports sector. According to the PS, the total contractual cost for the identified stadium projects stands at KSh 15.11 billion, but only KSh 3.74 billion has so far been paid out.
He warned that existing financial pressures within the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF) have limited the government’s ability to finance the projects at the required pace.
The Committee, heard that although SASDF received an approved budget of KSh 18.38 billion in the current 2025/26 financial year, most of the funds are already committed to other obligations.
These include annual loan repayments for Talanta Sports City amounting to KSh 6.29 billion, sports participation and hosting expenses totaling KSh 6 billion, escrow account deposits and standby letters of credit worth KSh 1.57 billion each, constituency sports academies at KSh 2.1 billion, and community sports grounds upgrades costing KSh 1.4 billion.
“The competing obligations have significantly constrained SASDF’s ability to meet financing requirements for critical AFCON 2027 infrastructure projects,” PS Mwangi told the Committee.
Treasury Support Sought for AFCON Preparations
Earlier, CS Salim Mvurya also defended the need for additional Treasury support, noting that Kenya must invest heavily in infrastructure to meet continental hosting standards.
Mvurya cited the Talanta Stadium project, which is currently at 91 percent completion, but still requires additional auxiliary works, including the installation of a power substation expected to cost KSh 937 million.
Concerns Raised Over Stadium Readiness
Committee members also questioned the slow pace of construction at some venues. Robert Basil raised concerns over the status of Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which had earlier been listed among the venues for the tournament despite being only 18 percent complete.
However, PS Mwangi clarified that following a review of the hosting plan, Kipchoge Keino Stadium had been removed from the final list of competition venues.
He confirmed that Talanta Stadium and Kasarani Stadium will serve as the main match venues, while Nyayo and Ulinzi stadiums will function as training facilities during the tournament.
