Kenya struggles to pay Sh1.6 billion CHAN 2024 hosting fee as budget constraints from stadium renovations delay government’s financial commitments.
Kenya is facing financial hurdles in settling the $13 million (Sh1.6 billion) hosting rights fee for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with government officials citing budget constraints due to ongoing refurbishment of tournament venues.
The country, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, is preparing to co-host the eighth edition of the biennial football tournament exclusively reserved for home-based players in August.
Okumu, who featured for Stade Reims on Sunday and played the full match, is notably absent from the 23-man travelling squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gambia.
However, the State Department for Sports has attributed the delayed payment to a tight fiscal space caused by the prioritization of infrastructure development ahead of both CHAN 2024 and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“The government is required to pay $13 million, approximately Sh1.682 billion for hosting rights to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tight fiscal space for SASDF (Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund) is attributed to the prioritisation of Chan and Afcon infrastructure development, which include renovations of Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino stadiums as well as construction of new Talanta Stadium,” reads a report presented to the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture as quoted by Daily Nation.
“In this regard, we request the committee to note the need for prioritisation for the hosting rights,” the report further states.
With the tournament barely five months away, Kenya is still in the process of finalizing preparations for its designated match venues and training grounds. Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani are undergoing major renovations to meet CAF standards for CHAN matches.
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Meanwhile, training venues such as Ulinzi Sports Complex, Kasarani Annex pitch, Police Sacco Stadium, and Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu are also being upgraded.
In addition, Kenya is constructing the state-of-the-art 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City Stadium at Jamhuri Posta Grounds, which will be the centerpiece of the 2027 AFCON tournament.
Despite the ongoing works, concerns have been raised about the government’s commitment to clearing its financial obligations in time.
The total cost of the Talanta Sports City Stadium and the renovation of all other designated venues has not been disclosed.
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Furthermore, the State Department for Sports has requested an additional Sh100 million to facilitate Kenya’s preparations for CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027. The department hopes that Parliament will approve the extra funding to ensure seamless preparations for the two major continental tournaments.
Kenya’s CHAN campaign will see the Harambee Stars compete in Group A alongside North African giants Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, and Angola. Tanzania, on the other hand, is placed in Group B with Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso.
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Uganda, Kenya’s East African neighbor and co-host, is in Group C alongside Niger and Guinea, with two additional teams yet to be determined from a March qualifier featuring South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Libya.
Group D consists of Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria.
