Kenya’s sports sector faces a significant funding setback after the government cut the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund allocation by Sh3 billion in the 2025/26 Financial Year.

The budget, tabled in Parliament by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on Tuesday, reduces the fund’s allocation from Sh16.5 billion last year to Sh13.5 billion—despite an overall increase in the Ministry’s combined budget for tourism, sports, culture, and recreation from Sh23.7 billion to Sh29.7 billion.

The reduced Sports Fund marks a retreat from last year’s record investment, which had been celebrated as a turning point for the sector.

The Sh13.5 billion will still support key initiatives, including preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, national team activities, and grassroots programmes. But the drop raises concerns about delays in stadium renovations and talent development efforts that had gained traction under the previous budget.

In 2024/25, then-Treasury CS Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u had allocated a historic Sh16.5 billion to the Sports Fund, prioritising infrastructure upgrades and Kenya’s participation in global competitions like the WRC Safari Rally and World Athletics Championships.

This year, sports will receive a smaller slice of a larger pie. Tourism, for example, has seen a dramatic funding boost. The Tourism Fund’s allocation nearly doubles from Sh4.9 billion to Sh8.2 billion, while the Tourism Promotion Fund jumps from Sh2.2 billion to Sh4.8 billion - signalling the government’s push to position Kenya as a global tourist destination.

Despite the drop in core sports funding, several supportive allocations have been maintained: Sh2.3 billion for digitising the Office of the Sports Registrar, Sh241 million for the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, Sh402 million for Sports Kenya, Sh245 million for the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Still, the funding shift raises questions about whether Kenya can maintain the momentum built in 2024/25 as the country prepares to host major events, including AFCON 2027.