The Kenyan government has confirmed that it has met all key requirements set by the Confederation of African Football as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a press statement, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports confirmed that Kenya has already paid the required hosting fee of 30 million US dollars.
The payment is seen as a strong sign that the country is ready and committed to hosting the continental tournament.
At the same time, the government has formed a new Local Organising Committee composed of both public and private sector members. The committee will be in charge of all activities related to the tournament.
This follows a recent inspection by CAF, which made recommendations on what needs to be improved. The government said it will move with speed to improve the stadium, training facilities, transport, and other important infrastructure.
Other areas that will be improved include safety, security, and broadcasting, among others. The government said these steps are all in the normal process for countries preparing to host the AFCON tournament, and Kenya is working to ensure that it meets all the standards required in time.
This is all part of the government’s larger plan to grow the sports sector in the country, as outlined by President William Ruto. It is also expected to help the economy and the youth.
Kenya will be co-hosting the tournament with other East African states under the banner of the “Pamoja AFCON” initiative. It is expected that the different states will meet next month to discuss how best to ease movement for the teams, officials, and fans. This will include the issue of visas, taxes, and the movement of goods.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is set to attract the attention of the entire continent and the world at large, and this is seen as an opportunity for Kenya to showcase its capacity to host the world.
