Concerns Raised Over Misuse of Public Funds by Sports Ministry for AFCON 2027 Consultancy Services
The Ministry of Sports is under scrutiny after revelations surfaced about billions being spent on consultancy services for the upcoming AFCON 2027 tournament. Kenya is set to co-host the event alongside Uganda and Tanzania, but the allocation of funds has raised eyebrows.
Documents presented to Parliament by Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum reveal that the ministry has spent nearly Ksh3 billion on consultancy services and feasibility studies for stadiums and sports academies. Specifically, Ksh1 billion was allocated for consultancy services related to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while Ksh352 million was spent on regional consultancy services. Furthermore, Ksh1.5 billion went towards design feasibility studies and topographical surveys in preparation for the construction of constituency sports academies.
In addition, Ksh1.3 billion was spent on phase one of the Kenya Academy of Sports complex at Kasarani, with Ksh424 million dedicated to completing the Kenya Academy of Sports hostel (phase 1B).
Despite these large expenditures, there is little to show in terms of actual progress, leading to increasing concerns about where the funds have gone. “The ministry has terminated the contracts of some of the consultant firms in the new arrangements,” said Tum, who also disclosed that consultants from the University of Nairobi were hired and that the ministry is reassessing its relationship with some of the consultants.
The documents also indicated that Ksh3.1 billion was used to renovate Kasarani Stadium, one of the venues set to host matches for AFCON 2027. The renovations are expected to be completed by November.
Tum was addressing the National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee, providing updates on the status of 22 projects that are currently in various stages of completion from the 2023-24 financial year.
Kenya is racing against time to ensure it is prepared for AFCON 2027, with the construction and renovation of stadiums being a major challenge. Along with the ongoing renovations at Kasarani, the country is also building the Talanta City Sports Complex, a new stadium that will be used for the tournament.
