Kenya seeks extra Ksh11B to complete AFCON 2027 stadiums
By Francis Muli, May 20, 2026Kenya requires an additional Ksh11.02 billion to complete key stadium projects ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Parliament has been told.
This has raised fresh concerns over the country’s preparedness to co-host the continental tournament.
The funding gap emerged during a session of the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture, where Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi appeared to defend the 2026/27 budget estimates for the State Department for Sports.
According to Mwangi, the total contractual cost for the earmarked AFCON stadium projects currently stands at Ksh15.11 billion. Still, only Ksh3.74 billion has been paid to date, leaving a significant financing deficit that could affect completion timelines.
The PS warned that without additional Exchequer support, Kenya risks delays in delivering the infrastructure required for the tournament.
Mwangi told the committee that the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF), which is expected to finance part of the projects, is already overstretched by multiple financial obligations despite having an approved budget of Ksh18.38 billion in the current financial year.
“The financial commitments of SASDF include annual loan repayment for Talanta Sports City of Ksh6.29 billion, participation and hosting of sports events at Ksh6 billion, escrow account deposits of Ksh1.57 billion, standby letters of credit of Ksh1.57 billion, establishment of constituency sports academies at Ksh2.1 billion and upgrade of community sports grounds at Ksh1.4 billion,” Mwangi said.
“Given these competing obligations, SASDF is constrained to meet the financing requirements for critical AFCON 2027 projects.”
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya also told lawmakers that the National Treasury would need to step in to bridge the funding shortfall, arguing that Kenya’s commitment to host AFCON comes with urgent infrastructure demands.
“We have a lot to prepare, especially in infrastructure. The key venue, Raila Odinga Stadium, is at 91 per cent completion, but there is still a lot required in terms of auxiliary activities related to operationalisation, including a power substation estimated to cost around Ksh937 million,” Mvurya said.
The revelations prompted concern from members of the committee, who questioned whether the country would be ready in time for the tournament.
Yatta MP Robert Basil singled out the slow progress at Kipchoge Keino Stadium, noting that the facility remained far from complete despite earlier being listed among the venues expected to host matches.
“I will make reference to Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which is at 18 per cent completion and had been earmarked as one of the fields to be used during the games,” said Basil.
Mwangi, however, clarified that the government had since revised the list of AFCON venues and dropped Kipchoge Keino Stadium from the final hosting plan.
He said Raila Odinga Stadium in Kisumu and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi would serve as the main match venues, while Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex would function as training grounds.
The committee also pushed the ministry to address delays surrounding other sports infrastructure projects, including the long-awaited Kenya Academy of Sports.
Kenya is set to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the tournament will be staged in East Africa since 1976. The three countries secured hosting rights after CAF selected the joint “Pamoja Bid” in 2023.