Kenya set to pay Ksh 1.6 billion CHAN hosting fee

Kenya set to pay Ksh 1.6 billion CHAN hosting fee

Kenya's football legend McDonald Mariga during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) draw at KICC, Nairobi on January 15, 2025. Photo by Sportpicha

Kenya is set to pay Ksh 1.6 billion in hosting fees for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) before Thursday’s April 3 deadline.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Eng. Peter Tum, the outgoing Principal Secretary for the State Department for Sports and Kenya’s nominee for ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, will co-host the eighth edition of CHAN in August 2025.

Each country is required to pay Ksh1.6 billion hosting fee to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as part of the agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Tum expressed optimism that Kenya would meet its financial obligation in time.

“The elephant in the room is the hosting fee, which must be paid by April 3. However, thanks to the leadership of our CS, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

He has engaged the National Treasury and His Excellency the President, and I believe the money will be deposited,” said Tum.

According to a report in the 2024/2025 Supplementary Estimates last month, the government officials had said Kenya was unable to remit the fee on time citing budget constraints due to ongoing refurbishment of tournament venues.

This will be the first time the region will host the biennial tournament.

Initially scheduled for February, the event was postponed after CAF’s technical experts advised that the three countries' infrastructure was still not up to standard.

The tournament is expected to enhance regional integration, boost tourism, and showcase improved sports infrastructure.

It will also be a significant step for Kenya after past failures to host major continental tournaments due to inadequate facilities and organizational setbacks.

 

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