Budget 2025: What does it mean for Sports in Kenya?
Mbadi reduced the Sports 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.
Kenya's Budget Planning Proposal for the 2025/26 financial year was read out to the public by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Thursday 12 June 2025.
The proposals spelt doom and gloom for Kenya’s sports sector, which faces a significant funding setback after the government cut the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund allocation by Sh3 billion.
The budget, however, was a win overall for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sport.
Mbadi reduced the Sports 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 Sh13.5 billion will still support key initiatives, including preparations for the upcoming CHAN competition which will be held in the country from August 2 to 30.
Also for consideration will be preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, national team activities, and grassroots programmes. The drop will however, certainly affect grassroots efforts and sporting development efforts.
The Sports Registrar has received Sh2.3 billion for automation and digitalisation. Sh402 million has been allocated to Sports Kenya, which is in charge of Kenya's stadia, with the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS), which manages FKF Premier League side FC Talanta, getting Sh245 million.
Treasury has also allocated Sh241 million to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) whose role in fighting doping in the country's sports has taken an elevated role with increased cases of doping around the country.
"The budget cuts are a reflection of what the government thinks of sporting activities. Cutting the budget when there is need to put more money into developing the different sports in our country is unfortunate," Daniel Onyango, a youth coach in Kiserian town told Radio Generation Sport.
"The talent is there but the support on the ground is very thin. This is sad and kills morale because we can see in organised countries how much sports does for the economy and their people," he added.
For now for the State Department of Sports, all hands are on deck to ensure that the country is ready to host the African Nations Championships CHAN, an opportunity for the country to shine at the Continental and Global stage.
