NAIROBI — Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has ushered in 2026 with a message of gritty optimism, declaring this the "year of delivery" as Kenya stares down the barrel of a defining 18 months for the nation's sporting history.

In a New Year address that sought to balance gratitude with the urgent reality of the looming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Mohammed acknowledged the anxieties of the football fraternity but insisted the foundation for a renaissance is now dry.

The AFCON 2027 Litmus Test

With the continental showpiece—co-hosted alongside Uganda and Tanzania—just over a year away, the President addressed the elephant in the room: infrastructure. Skepticism has run high regarding the readiness of the Talanta Sports City and the Kasarani renovations.

"We are past the era of artistic impressions," Mohammed noted, emphasizing that the federation is working in lockstep with the Ministry of Sports. "2026 is when the steel meets the sky. By December, we will not just be ready; we will be world-class. This tournament is not just about 90 minutes on a pitch; it is about the thousands of jobs created for our youth and the billions of shillings injected into our local economy."

• Talanta Sports City: Slated for completion by late 2025/early 2026.
• Kasarani Stadium: undergoing final CAF compliance checks.
• Training Venues: Upgrades in police and university grounds across Nairobi and Eldoret.

Money in the Pockets

Staying true to his "Fresh Start" campaign manifesto, Mohammed touched on the financial health of the Premier League. For years, Kenyan players have played for passion rather than paychecks, a narrative the current office vowed to rewrite.

"We promised that our champions would not beg," he stated, alluding to his administration's push to raise league grants. While admitting that the target of KES 50 million per club is a "climb still in progress," he highlighted new commercial partnerships that have begun to stabilize club revenues.

"When a player in Mathare or Murang'a can feed his family comfortably from football, that is when we have succeeded. We are closing the gap between the boardroom and the changing room," he added.

Honoring the Legends

In a move to heal old wounds, the President reiterated his commitment to the country's veterans. The establishment of the long-awaited Legends Hall of Fame and a medical scheme for retired stars remains a priority for 2026.

"We cannot build a future if we neglect those who built our past," Mohammed warned. "This year, you will see the institutionalization of our respect for the heroes who wore the national colors with pride but were left with nothing."

As the Harambee Stars prepare for the final stretch of qualifiers, the message was clear: the honeymoon period is over. The administration is now in the delivery phase.

"Let 2026 be the year we stop dreaming and start hosting," he concluded. "The world is coming to Kenya. We must be ready to welcome them, not just as participants, but as formidable competitors."