Kenya has unveiled their bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya are seeking to present a joint bid alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania this week. President William Ruto made the announcement on Monday at State House while unveiling the East African Community ‘Pamoja Bid’ for the Afcon 2027.
Ruto said the submission is part of the government’s plan to tap into the wide pool of skills and talents in the country.
“I am happy to announce today that we have joined our brothers and sisters in Tanzania and Uganda in mounting a joint bid to the Confederation of African Football for the opportunity to host the 2027 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Ruto said.
“None of us has had the opportunity of hosting this continental tournament before.”
Ruto said the government is keen on a comprehensive sports development plan to enhance the monetisation and commercialisation of sporting talents and reinstate Kenyan football into good standing with the global governing body.
“Our plan for the radical socio-economic transformation of our country entails a broad array of commitments to be undertaken in every sector of our national endeavour to take Kenya further along the path toward our aspirations and unprecedented levels of prosperity,” Ruto said.
“The plan, therefore, commits us to take ambitious interventions aimed at ensuring that Kenya performs to the best of its promise by harnessing the full potential of each sector and engaging also in the gifts, skills, and talents of our people to their greatest number possible.
Ruto reiterated the government’s desire to recognise the talent in Kenya’s sporting and creative industry. “For this reason, the plan has set out commitments we intend to accomplish toward developing the sporting and creative economy.
“This sector is a giant wellspring of opportunities to empower and employ millions of young people, increase incomes, enhance our national brands, and place Kenya in its rightful position as a global sports superpower.
He said the government had unveiled a robust campaign to attract premier international sports and athletics events to Kenya to stimulate local sports, promote tourism, create employment, and enhance our national sporting and athletics brand.
The president said the country would continue to pride itself on hosting some of the most celebrated global sporting events.
“Kenya has made various bids to host international events and as recently as last week we hosted the Kip Keino Classic, an international track and field meet affiliated with the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series.
“Kenya has made various bids to host international events and as recently as last week we hosted the Kip Keino Classic, an international track and field meet affiliated with the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series.
“Appreciating Kenya’s rich sporting and creative talent, President Ruto explained that the sector has the potential to stimulate economic growth.
“This sector is a giant wellspring of opportunities. We will ensure we place Kenya on its rightful position as a sporting superpower.”
Some of the interventions that the President noted are being pursued are infrastructure development, enhancement of sporting talent, and the reinstatement of Kenya’s football into good standing.
He added that a long-term intervention will be the attraction of premier international sports and athletics events to Kenya.
“This will stimulate local sports, promote tourism, create employment and enhance our national sporting and athletic brand.”
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba was present at the function alongside Sports PS Jonathan Mueke and Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.
