A nation of champions, a ministry in question: The paradox of Kenya's sports agenda

Kenya, the land of long distance legends and rising sports dynasties, finds itself at an uneasy crossroads.

On one hand, the Ministry of Sports, under Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya, is basking in the glory of securing the 2027 AFCON co-hosting rights. On the other hand, it is fending off mounting criticism over athlete welfare, financial capacity and a trail of broken promises.

It is a tale of ambition marred by inconsistency of global recognition undercut by domestic discontent.

For every national flag hoisted in victory, there seems to be a forgotten hero, battling bureaucracy in silence.

The successful bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside neighbors Uganda and Tanzania was heralded as a major diplomatic and sporting feat.

It was a statement of intent, positioning Kenya not just as a nation of elite athletes, but as a serious player in continental sports hosting.

Former CS Ababu Namwamba stated, “We are not just building stadiums, but dreams. This is our time.”

Yet, whispers of mismanagement cloud major initiatives, including stadia renovations which continue to raise eyebrows due to sole-sourced tenders and shifting budget lines.

For many, these flagship projects feel more cosmetic than structural.

There is a clear disconnect between the big announcements and the day-to-day realities of sports people in Kenya.