Sports Kenya officials have been given a seven-day ultimatum to resign over failure to deliver critical sports infrastructure despite huge budgetary allocations.
A lobby group identified as Concerned Sports Enthusiasts of Kenya have accused top officials at Sports Kenya to resign over mismanagement and failure to deliver the much needed infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released Friday, the group accused the agency’s leadership of presiding over stalled stadium projects, deteriorating facilities and delayed upgrades that could jeopardise the country’s preparedness to co-host the continental tournament.
The group singled out Director General Timothy Kilimo and Deputy Director General Gabriel Komora, saying they bear ultimate responsibility for the current state of affairs.
“Kenya risks international embarrassment if urgent action is not taken. The officials must step aside to allow accountability and reforms,” the statement read.
Stadium concerns
At the center of the concerns is the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the country’s flagship stadium, which the group says is in poor condition and requires significant upgrades to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
The lobby also pointed to delays in the rehabilitation and completion of other key venues, including Nyayo National Stadium and Kipchoge Keino Stadium, as well as stalled county facilities such as Bukhungu Stadium and Kamariny Stadium.
According to the group, funding gaps, procurement challenges and slow project execution have contributed to missed timelines, raising questions about Kenya’s readiness for the 2027 tournament.
Seven-day ultimatum
The organisation said it had issued a seven-day notice to the two officials to resign voluntarily, failing which it would move to court to seek their removal on grounds of integrity and accountability.
The planned legal action, the group added, would rely on provisions of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.
The lobby has also called for investigations by key oversight bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Auditor-General, into the handling of funds and execution of stadium projects.
AFCON stakes
Kenya is part of the East African “Pamoja” bid that won the rights to host the 2027 tournament alongside regional partners. The event is expected to boost tourism, infrastructure and economic activity.
However, analysts warn that delays in infrastructure upgrades could expose the country to scrutiny from CAF and potentially affect hosting arrangements if benchmarks are not met in time.
Efforts to reach officials at Sports Kenya for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
