Kenya imechukua hatua kubwa sana baada ya kulipa Ksh 3.9 Billion (USD 30M) kwa Confederation of African Football kuhakikisha nchi iko fully on track kuhost Africa Cup of Nations 2027.
Kwa mujibu wa Sports CS Salim Mvurya, hii move inaonyesha serikali iko serious about delivering a world class tournament. Serikali pia imeunda upya Local Organizing Committee ili kuleta nguvu ya public na private sectors pamoja, meaning mambo ya organization yatakuwa more efficient na focused.
Lakini si pesa pekee Kenya sasa inaingia “accelerated phase.” Hapa ndipo stadiums zitaboreshwa, training grounds kujengwa, na transport systems kuboostiwa kuhakikisha kila kitu iko CAF standards. Hii ni baada ya CAF kutoa inspection report yenye recommendations kali.
Kuna pia speculations kuwa CEO wa LOC Mike Rabar anaweza kuwa ameondoka kimya kimya, though serikali bado haijaconfirm officially so watu wako radar kuona nini kinaendelea nyuma ya pazia.
President William Ruto ana push agenda ya kutumia sports kama tool ya economic growth jobs, youth empowerment, na putting Kenya on the global map.
Na kumbuka hii si solo mission ni sehemu ya “Pamoja Bid” na nchi jirani, ambapo discussions zinaendelea kuhakikisha visa na border processes zitakuwa smooth kwa fans na teams.
Bottom line: Kenya imeonyesha commitment, sasa kazi ni delivery. Swali kubwa kwa Wakenya: Tutamake history ama itakuwa kawaida ya last minute pressure?
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After weeks of uncertainty, Kenya has finally paid the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting fee, amounting to USD 30 million (KSh 3.9 billion), the Sports Ministry announced Tuesday.
In a statement, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the country has now fulfilled all requirements set by the Confederation of African Football.
“Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to CAF, marking a decisive step toward co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” Mvurya said.
He added that the government has restructured the Multi-Agency Local Organizing Committee (LOC), bringing together public and private sector expertise to strengthen institutional capacity ahead of the tournament.
However, uncertainty surrounds the leadership of the LOC, with speculation that long-serving Chief Executive Officer Mike Rabar may have exited his role. The Ministry has yet to officially confirm the changes, which are expected to be gazetted on Tuesday.
Following the latest CAF inspection report, Kenya is now entering an accelerated implementation phase. This will focus on fast-tracking the construction and upgrade of stadiums, training facilities, and transport infrastructure, in line with CAF recommendations.
Mvurya said the payment underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Kenya as a premier global sporting destination, while leveraging the tournament for economic growth, youth empowerment, and job creation.
“As part of the regional Pamoja bid, Kenya remains dedicated to delivering a world-class experience that will not only meet but exceed expectations,” he said, adding that partner states will meet next month to finalize a harmonized framework for visa facilitation and streamlined customs procedures.
Source: Citizen Digital
Kwa mujibu wa Sports CS Salim Mvurya, hii move inaonyesha serikali iko serious about delivering a world class tournament. Serikali pia imeunda upya Local Organizing Committee ili kuleta nguvu ya public na private sectors pamoja, meaning mambo ya organization yatakuwa more efficient na focused.
Lakini si pesa pekee Kenya sasa inaingia “accelerated phase.” Hapa ndipo stadiums zitaboreshwa, training grounds kujengwa, na transport systems kuboostiwa kuhakikisha kila kitu iko CAF standards. Hii ni baada ya CAF kutoa inspection report yenye recommendations kali.
Kuna pia speculations kuwa CEO wa LOC Mike Rabar anaweza kuwa ameondoka kimya kimya, though serikali bado haijaconfirm officially so watu wako radar kuona nini kinaendelea nyuma ya pazia.
President William Ruto ana push agenda ya kutumia sports kama tool ya economic growth jobs, youth empowerment, na putting Kenya on the global map.
Na kumbuka hii si solo mission ni sehemu ya “Pamoja Bid” na nchi jirani, ambapo discussions zinaendelea kuhakikisha visa na border processes zitakuwa smooth kwa fans na teams.
Bottom line: Kenya imeonyesha commitment, sasa kazi ni delivery. Swali kubwa kwa Wakenya: Tutamake history ama itakuwa kawaida ya last minute pressure?
===========
After weeks of uncertainty, Kenya has finally paid the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting fee, amounting to USD 30 million (KSh 3.9 billion), the Sports Ministry announced Tuesday.
In a statement, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the country has now fulfilled all requirements set by the Confederation of African Football.
“Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to CAF, marking a decisive step toward co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” Mvurya said.
He added that the government has restructured the Multi-Agency Local Organizing Committee (LOC), bringing together public and private sector expertise to strengthen institutional capacity ahead of the tournament.
However, uncertainty surrounds the leadership of the LOC, with speculation that long-serving Chief Executive Officer Mike Rabar may have exited his role. The Ministry has yet to officially confirm the changes, which are expected to be gazetted on Tuesday.
Following the latest CAF inspection report, Kenya is now entering an accelerated implementation phase. This will focus on fast-tracking the construction and upgrade of stadiums, training facilities, and transport infrastructure, in line with CAF recommendations.
Mvurya said the payment underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Kenya as a premier global sporting destination, while leveraging the tournament for economic growth, youth empowerment, and job creation.
“As part of the regional Pamoja bid, Kenya remains dedicated to delivering a world-class experience that will not only meet but exceed expectations,” he said, adding that partner states will meet next month to finalize a harmonized framework for visa facilitation and streamlined customs procedures.
Source: Citizen Digital
