Funding concerns threaten Kenya’s readiness for CHAN 2024
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 26.07.25. | 08:50
The 19-team tournament, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is scheduled to kick off this Saturday and run until August 30
The head of Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Nicholas Musonye, has raised alarm over the country’s preparedness to host the continental showpiece, citing serious funding and logistical challenges.
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Musonye, who appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture, warned that without urgent financial intervention, Kenya may fail to deliver the tournament to the required Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
The 19-team tournament, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is scheduled to kick off this Saturday and run until August 30.
“We shared our concerns with [the government], including Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. We asked for urgent intervention because if we don’t get a response in time, we may be caught off-guard and some services and goods may not be secured,” said Musonye, a former CECAFA Secretary General.
The LOC says it requires at least KSh 1.4 billion to successfully run the event, but has so far received only about 10 per cent of that budget.
Myke Rabar, the LOC Chief Executive Officer, revealed that part of the challenge also involves logistical delays at the country’s ports of entry.
Equipment belonging to CAF has been held up due to slow clearance processes, as the government is yet to fully implement tax exemptions on imported tournament materials.
“CAF was very clear that they needed an exemption on services and products for the tournament,” said Rabar.
“Some of the equipment detained at the airport was only cleared today [Thursday], but more consignments are arriving and need to be cleared quickly.”
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He further cited difficulties brought about by the recently implemented Electronic Government Procurement (E-GP) system, which has hampered procurement processes for essential supplies.
“As of today, some of us have been unable to log into the E-GP system. We have to find ways to mitigate that because the event has to continue,” said Rabar.
Despite the challenges, Parliament’s Sports Committee Chairman and Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama pledged full support to the LOC.
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“We will push for the budget to ensure you’re comfortable and able to motivate your team. If they are hungry and lack facilitation, they will be the first to sabotage you,” Wanyama warned.
The LOC has already contracted several firms, including security providers, medics, hoteliers, and transport companies, all of whom await facilitation ahead of the tournament's kickoff.
