Millions of Kenyan football fans are set to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup on free-to-air television after the government approved funding to support the acquisition of broadcasting rights by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi made the announcement on Wednesday while hosting representatives of Gor Mahia FC at the National Treasury in Nairobi, where the club presented its FKF Premier League trophy.
For months, uncertainty had surrounded whether Kenya's national broadcaster would secure the rights to air the tournament, raising concerns that many fans could miss out on football's biggest event.
Mr Mbadi said the government had stepped in to remove the financial obstacles that had delayed the process.
“World Cup is coming in a couple of days, and we are looking forward to this football extravaganza. I know we had some challenges in sponsoring KBC to air it, but we have unlocked that,” he said.
The Treasury chief added that discussions with KBC management were ongoing to finalise the remaining arrangements.
“This morning, I actually spoke to Kaleche, who is the MD, and there is something she is working on. We have already approved funding from the national government to support the airing,” he said.
The announcement is likely to be welcomed by football supporters across the country, many of whom had been anxiously waiting for confirmation that the tournament would be accessible without subscription fees.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest edition in the competition's history. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament will feature 48 teams and more than 100 matches, significantly increasing broadcasting costs for media organisations around the world.
KBC had reportedly been seeking approximately KSh150 million to secure the rights required to transmit the matches to Kenyan audiences. Delays in securing funding had cast doubt over whether an agreement could be reached in time.
The issue had also attracted attention from lawmakers, with members of the National Assembly's Committee on Communications, Information and Innovation seeking updates on the broadcaster's preparations and financial position.
Across the globe, broadcasters have faced rising costs as competition for sports rights intensifies. The World Cup remains one of the most watched sporting events internationally, attracting billions of viewers and commanding substantial licensing fees in major television markets.
For many Kenyan households, however, access to the tournament depends heavily on free-to-air broadcasting.
That reality has made KBC's participation particularly important, especially for fans who may not have access to pay television services or online streaming platforms.
The government's intervention now appears to have eased those concerns, although final contractual arrangements are still being completed.
If concluded successfully, the deal will ensure that supporters from Nairobi to Turkana, Mombasa to Kisumu, can follow every stage of the tournament from their homes, schools, workplaces and local viewing centres.
For football lovers across Kenya, the announcement offers reassurance that when the world's biggest sporting spectacle kicks off next year, they will have a front-row seat.