Cabinet approves Kenya's bid to host 2027 AFCON

The Cabinet has on Tuesday approved the proposal for Kenya host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside other East African nations.

In a statement to newsrooms, the Cabinet - which was chaired by President William Ruto said Kenya hosting the continental fiesta will go a long way in helping Harambee Stars achieve its ambitious target of qualifying for the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

Last week Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said the government will invest strategically to propel Harambe Stars to the 2030 World Cup edition.

"In a bid to revive the prospects of Kenyan football, Cabinet sanctioned the revitalisation of football as a key cog of our nation's social fabric. The national effort will encompass the rebuilding of the national men’s team, Harambee Stars, and the rebuilding of the women’s national team, the Harambe Starlets.

“As a stepping stone towards the target of Harambee Stars qualifying for the Fifa World Cup in the year2030, Cabinet approved the proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027, alongside EAC partner states. Cabinet noted that the joint bid would deploy the power of sports in furthering regional integration," part of the Cabinet's resolutions read.

Kenya lost an opportunity to host the tournament in 1996 owing to lack of proper sporting infrastructure, and CAF passed the button to South Africa who went on to win their maiden AFCON gong.

In 2018, Kenya was also unable to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the same reason.