Kenya’s 2025/2026 national budget allocates Ksh16.69 billion to sports, a Ksh169 million increase from the previous year, as announced by National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. Presented in Parliament on June 12, 2025, the budget aims to foster youth talent, boost national pride, and establish Kenya as a regional hub for sports and heritage.
Key initiatives include hosting the African Nations Championship (Chan), completing stadium projects, supporting the WRC Safari Rally, and organizing the Kip Keino Classic. The sports allocation represents 0.004% of the Ksh4.239 trillion total budget.
The Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund receives the largest portion at Ksh13.5 billion, funding national teams, talent programs, stadium upgrades, and artists. To enhance transparency, Ksh2.3 billion is allocated to digitize the Sports Registrar’s Office, improving management of sports federations and athlete compliance.Sports Kenya, overseeing facilities like Moi International Sports Centre and Nyayo Stadium, gets Ksh402 million, while the Kenya Academy of Sports receives Ksh245 million for elite athlete training and research. The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) is allocated Ksh241 million to strengthen testing and education efforts.
Notably, no funding was included for Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Uganda and Tanzania, raising concerns about delays in the Ksh3.9 billion needed for preparations. Mbadi did not address this omission, leaving questions about the government’s commitment to the tournament.
Tourism, tied to sports and cultural events, also sees significant investment, with Ksh8.2 billion for the Tourism Fund and Ksh4.8 billion for the Tourism Promotion Fund to market Kenya globally.
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