Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are facing mounting uncertainty following fresh corruption allegations involving senior sports officials and a court petition seeking accountability over questionable procurement practices linked to stadium projects.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have already uncovered suspected fraud and irregular tendering worth hundreds of millions of shillings, raising concerns about the country’s readiness to host the continental tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The controversy intensified after a petition was filed in court against officials at Sports Kenya, the state corporation responsible for managing major sports facilities in the country.
According to court documents, the petition challenges the conduct of certain officials accused of overseeing irregular procurement processes and questionable financial decisions in projects linked to sports infrastructure upgrades.
The matter is scheduled to be heard on March 24th where petitioners are expected to push for accountability and possible disciplinary action against those implicated.
The petition, filed by Nairobi resident Francis Kiiria, names Gabriel Komora — the current Deputy Director General of Sports Kenya and former Acting Director General — as the respondent in the case.
The case, lodged under Constitutional Petition No. E119 of 2026, cites multiple provisions of the Constitution including Articles 2, 3, 10, 27, 41, 73, 226, 258 and 259.
The petitioners argue that mismanagement and procurement irregularities within Sports Kenya could derail critical infrastructure works needed ahead of major international tournaments.
Separately, the EACC has filed a civil suit seeking to recover Sh330.5 million paid out in what investigators describe as a fraudulent stadium tender linked to preparations for earlier continental tournaments.
Court documents show that the contract, awarded to Auditel Kenya, involved the design and installation of security, communication and lighting systems in several stadiums.
However, investigators say the tender process violated procurement laws and that no deliveries were ever made despite millions being paid out.
The suit names several senior officials, including a former Sports Principal Secretary and former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials, alongside directors of companies alleged to have benefited from the controversial deal.
The anti-graft agency maintains that the contract was single-sourced without proper procurement procedures, lacked required approvals, and was executed without key documentation such as tender evaluation reports and performance guarantees.
Beyond the Sh330 million case currently before court, investigators are reportedly examining wider procurement dealings in the sports sector that could involve billions of shillings tied to stadium renovations and sports infrastructure projects.
These facilities are critical to Kenya’s hosting obligations for the 2027 AFCON, which will require modernized stadiums, improved training grounds and upgraded sports infrastructure across several cities.
Key facilities expected to host matches include the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is currently undergoing major upgrades to meet international standards ahead of upcoming continental tournaments.
Sports governance experts warn that persistent corruption scandals in the sports sector could damage Kenya’s credibility as a host nation if reforms are not implemented quickly.
While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has maintained confidence in Kenya’s ability to deliver the tournament, delays caused by corruption investigations, stalled projects or court battles could significantly disrupt the preparation timeline.
Analysts argue that transparency and strict oversight of sports infrastructure projects will be critical in ensuring that the country delivers the facilities required for one of Africa’s biggest football competitions.
As the court prepares to hear the petition against Sports Kenya officials, the outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the future of Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027.