Kenyan government meets CAF deadline day obligations to co-host 2027 AFCON

Kenya encountered a March 30 cut-off to settle a Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) charge for staging the 2027 AFCON, as CAF representatives cautioned that the hosting privileges might be forfeited, whereas collaborators Tanzania and Uganda had already fulfilled their payments.

An announcement from Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, verifies that the East African country has settled the specified sum, paving the path for the new Talanta Stadium to accommodate the competition's concluding match.

Kenya has fully met its financial obligations

"I am delighted to declare that the Government of Kenya has completely satisfied its financial and structural duties to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as we progressively move forward with co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)," Mvurya stated in a release acquired by Flashscore.

"To honour our pledges, the Government has transferred the necessary USD 30 million hosting charge to CAF, reinforcing Kenya's reliability, preparedness, and steadfast dedication to organising a triumphant continental event."

Beyond fulfilling the requirements, Kenya's government has also reformed the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in preparation for the event.

Mvurya affirmed that this updated strategy was intentional to guarantee that the organisational framework is entirely synchronised with the extent, intricacy, and immediacy of arrangements needed to manage an event of AFCON's stature.

"Additionally, the Government has formed a reorganised Multi-Agency Local Organising Committee, uniting essential participants from public and private sectors in all vital domains of execution," Mvurya verified.

"This cross-sectoral method is purposeful, making certain that our organisational framework is wholly synchronised with the extent, intricacy, and immediacy of arrangements needed to manage an event of AFCON's stature."

Just a few weeks back, a group of specialist assessors from CAF toured the three nations set to host the forthcoming AFCON edition, encompassing Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The evaluation conducted by these specialists allowed CAF to enforce its rigorous, international-level execution criteria.

These encompass technical reviews of pitch specifications, alongside safety, security, and infrastructure preparedness at principal match and training locations designated for the event.

The tour also bolstered CAF's broader aim of fostering a more robust and self-reliant football structure across the continent via collaborations with administrations to enhance venues, execution potential, and sustained football progression.

The CAF group performed various assessments in Nairobi, Kenya. The schedule covered Kasarani Stadium, Nyayo Stadium, and Talanta Sport Stadium, along with primary training areas such as the Ulinzi Sport Complex and the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Kenya to accelerate renovation works 

Mvurya stressed that Kenya will hasten the execution of every infrastructure and operational adherence necessities to prepare for the 2027 version.

"In response to the CAF assessment findings, we shall commence swift execution of all infrastructure and operational adherence necessities," Mvurya appended.

"These cover the expedited building and improvement of match locations, training setups, transport and logistics networks, in addition to safety, security, and broadcasting norms. This represents a standard yet essential phase in the hosting timeline, and Kenya is tackling each suggestion with accuracy, promptness, and responsibility."

Mvurya continued: "This achievement mirrors the resolute dedication of H.E. President William Ruto to establish Kenya as a leading hub for worldwide sporting occasions and harness sports as a driver for economic expansion, youth upliftment, employment generation, and global recognition."

Mvurya reiterated the East African country's pledge to deliver a top-tier occasion. He remarked: "As the Pamoja AFCON co-hosting nations, we stay entirely devoted to presenting a top-tier AFCON 2027 that will not merely satisfy but surpass continental and international standards.

"We shall gather next month to discuss the creation of a unified structure to aid the execution of visa simplification processes for smooth travel by teams, authorities, supporters, and participants across our frontiers, joint tax waivers, customs simplification steps, and efficient approval protocols for all items, services, and operations directly linked to AFCON."

The 36th instalment of the African football competition, arranged by CAF as a biennial affair, will occur from June 19 to July 18, 2027.

This instalment of the AFCON will mark the initial occasion hosted by three countries, and the first in half a century in the CECAFA area, following its hosting by Ethiopia in 1976.

The occasion will coincide with the Africa Cup of Nations' 70th anniversary, and it will be the final one held in odd-numbered years, since CAF declared in December 2025 that AFCON would shift to a quadrennial schedule from 2028.