Kenya has officially secured its place as a host for the historic 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after making a $30 million payment to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), just days before the late-March deadline.
The payment, which amounts to approximately KSh 3.9 billion, clears a major hurdle for the country, which is part of the joint “Pamoja” hosting bid alongside Uganda and Tanzania. For a moment, there were concerns that Kenya might miss out, as it was the last of the three nations to settle its portion of the fee.
With this move, all three countries have now fulfilled CAF’s financial requirements, locking in what will be the first-ever three-nation hosting of the tournament. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the development, reassuring stakeholders that the government has met its obligations both financially and institutionally. 
“The Government of Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to CAF as we steadily advance towards co-hosting the 2027 AFCON,” he said.
What’s Next for Kenya?
However, Kenya still has significant work ahead, particularly regarding infrastructure. Recent CAF inspection reports highlight that several proposed venues are not yet up to standard.
The highly anticipated Talanta Stadium is still under construction, and other stadiums require major upgrades to meet tournament requirements. The government stated it is aware of the urgency and plans to accelerate construction to stay aligned with CAF timelines.
Mvurya also noted that the local organising committee has been restructured to improve coordination by incorporating both public and private sector expertise, although details regarding leadership changes are yet to be officially confirmed.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are expected to meet next month to align their plans, specifically regarding visa processes and customs procedures, to facilitate easier travel for teams, officials, and fans.
For Kenya, paying the hosting fee is a significant step forward; the primary challenge now lies in delivering the necessary infrastructure on time.
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