Ksh.11.02B more needed to complete earmarked AFCON 2027 stadia, Sports and Culture committee told

An additional Exchequer support totaling Ksh.11.02 billion is required to ensure timely completion of earmarked stadiums ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and to safeguard Kenya’s hosting rights.

This is according to the Sport State Department principal secretary, Elijah Mwangi, who earlier today appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture on the FY 2026/27 budget estimates.

The committee chaired by Webuye West legislator Dan Wanyama heard that the total contractual cost of the earmarked stadium projects is KSh.15.11 billion, out of which only KSh.3.74 billion has been paid.

According to the PS, despite the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund (SASDF) having an approved budget of Ksh.18.38 billion in the current FY 2025/26, its cash flows are significantly constrained due to major financial commitments.

“The financial commitments of SASDF include annual loan repayment for Talanta Sports City (Ksh.6.29 billion), participation and hosting of sports events (KSh.6.0 billion), escrow account deposit (KSh.1.57 billion), standby letter of credit (SBLC) (KSh.1.57 billion), establishment of Constituency Sports Academies (Ksh.2.1 billion), and upgrade of Community Sports Grounds (Ksh.1.4 billion).

Therefore, given the competing obligations, SASDF is constrained to meet the financing requirements for critical AFCON 2027 projects,” PS Mwangi told the committee.

Earlier, the Cabinet Secretary for the Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Ministry had also stated that SASSDF efforts need to be complemented by the National Treasury adding that since Kenya has committed to host AFCON, the Ministry needs enough resources to ensure successful results.

“We have a lot to prepare, especially in infrastructure. The key venue; Raila Odinga Stadium at 91 percent a lot more in terms of auxiliary activities that relates to its operationalization including having a substation for power which will cost around Ksh. 937 million,” CS Mvurya said.

Reacting to the presentation, the Robert Basil (Yatta) questioned why some of the earmarked stadiums were still very far from completion a few months only to the competition, saying, “I will make reference to Kipchoge Keino Stadium which is at 18 percent completion and it has been earmarked to be one of the fields to be used during the games,”.

PS Mwangi, however, clarified that after review of the initial list, Kipchoge Keino Stadium is no longer part of the earmarked stadiums, further disclosing that Raila Odinga and Kasarani stadiums will be the two playing fields with Nyayo and Ulinzi stadiums being among the training fields.

The Committee also called on the State Department to address other issues, including the construction of Kenya Academy of Sports.

Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Jacobs Fikirini of also appeared before the Committee.