The sports sector is poised for a significant funding increase after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi proposed a KSh25.2 billion allocation to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund in the 2026/27 national budget.
The proposed funding, unveiled during the budget reading in Parliament on June 11, comes as Kenya ramps up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and other major sporting events requiring improved infrastructure and operational support.
While outlining the government’s spending priorities, Mbadi emphasized the role sports play beyond competition, describing it as a key driver of national development and youth empowerment.
“Sports and culture are vital for national identity, youth empowerment and economic diversification. We will therefore promote sports at all levels, enforce international anti-doping standards and commercialize indigenous knowledge to create livelihood opportunities,” Mbadi said.
The allocation forms part of a broader KSh45.6 billion package earmarked for sports, culture, recreation and tourism, with KSh14.3 billion proposed for the Tourism Fund.
Mbadi said the increased investment is intended to unlock talent across the country while positioning Kenya as a leading destination for sports and cultural activities in the region.
“To harness national talent and promote Kenya as a regional cultural hub, I propose KSh45.6 billion for sports, culture, recreation and tourism, including KSh25.2 billion for sports, arts and social development and KSh14.3 billion for the Tourism Fund,” he told Parliament.
The proposed sports allocation marks a substantial rise from the KSh13.5 billion allocated to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund in the 2025/26 financial year, reflecting the government’s growing focus on sports development ahead of AFCON 2027.
The increase also comes against the backdrop of ongoing stadium upgrades and preparations for the continental tournament that Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
If approved by Parliament, the funding is expected to support talent development programmes, sports infrastructure projects, anti-doping initiatives and grassroots sports growth across the country.
Mbadi noted that the investment is also expected to generate broader economic benefits through employment creation and community development.
“These allocations will stimulate jobs, community development and foreign exchange earnings,” he said.
The State Department for Sports had been seeking parliamentary approval for a KSh32.24 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, up from the KSh25.49 billion ceiling contained in the 2026 Budget Policy Statement, underscoring the scale of preparations underway for upcoming international sporting events.
