The government has proposed a major boost to the sports sector in the 2026/27 financial year, with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi allocating Ksh 25.2 billion to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.
The proposed allocation, unveiled during the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Statement, represents one of the largest investments in Kenyan sports and comes as the country intensifies preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Mbadi emphasized the role of sports and arts in promoting national identity, empowering young people and driving economic growth. He noted that the government will continue supporting sports development, enforcing international anti-doping standards and creating new opportunities through the commercialization of indigenous knowledge.
The Ksh 25.2 billion allocation is part of a broader Ksh 45.6 billion package earmarked for Sports, Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The package also includes Ksh 14.3 billion for the Tourism Fund, with the government expecting the investment to create jobs, support communities and enhance foreign exchange earnings.
The latest proposal marks a significant increase from the Ksh 13.5 billion allocated to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund in the 2025/26 financial year. It also surpasses the previous record allocation of Ksh 16.5 billion in 2024/25, highlighting the government’s renewed commitment to the sector.
Last year’s reduction in funding had raised concerns among athletes, sports administrators and federations, especially with Kenya preparing to host the continent’s biggest football tournament. Stakeholders had warned that inadequate funding could slow down infrastructure projects, grassroots development and preparations for national teams.
If approved by Parliament, the additional resources are expected to support stadium construction and renovation, talent development programmes and preparations for major international competitions.
Sports have increasingly become a key pillar of Kenya’s economic and social agenda, with the government viewing the sector as an avenue for employment creation, tourism growth and global visibility. The increased funding is also expected to strengthen support for sports federations, talent identification initiatives and anti-doping programmes.
The proposed Ksh 25.2 billion allocation would become the largest ever directed to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, underlining the government’s ambition to use sports as a catalyst for economic transformation and youth empowerment.
