KBC AFCON live coverage in 2025, assured by Treasury CS John Mbadi, brings relief to millions of Kenyan football fans gearing up for the continental showdown in Morocco starting December 21.
In a statement delivered during a Nairobi press briefing on November 5, Mbadi pledged full government backing for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation to beam every match from the group stages to the grand finale on January 18, 2026, without the blackouts that plagued past tournaments.
“We recognise AFCON’s role in uniting our nation. KBC will deliver seamless, free-to-air broadcasts, funded through targeted allocations to ensure no Kenyan misses the action,” Mbadi affirmed, his words a balm for supporters still stinging from the 2023 Ivory Coast edition’s patchy signals and paywall woes.
The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 promises fireworks across six host cities, from Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to Casablanca’s iconic Stade Mohamed V, featuring 24 nations vying for glory in 52 matches.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars, drawn in a tough Group C alongside Senegal, DR Congo, and debutants South Sudan, kick off against the Teranga Lions on December 23, a clash that could set the tone for coach Benni McCarthy’s squad, hungry for a first-ever quarterfinal berth.
Excitement simmers in Nairobi’s shebeens and Mombasa’s beaches, where punters already swap predictions over nyama choma.
“Finally, no more sneaking to neighbours’ DSTV. KBC stepping up means every mama mboga, mtu wa bodaboda and matatu tout gets the vibe,” cheered Michael Omondi, a 28-year-old mechanic from Eastlands.
Mbadi’s assurance stems from lessons etched in 2023’s frustrations, when SuperSport’s exclusive rights left KBC sidelined, forcing fans to huddle around glitchy streams or shell out for decoders amid a cost-of-living crunch.
The Treasury chief, flanked by the KBC MD, outlined logistics: dedicated satellite feeds, mobile app tie-ins for rural reach, and partnerships with telcos like Safaricom for zero-rated data during games.
“This isn’t charity; it’s investment in social cohesion. AFCON lifts spirits, boosts morale, and even juices our economy through bar tabs and jersey sales,” Mbadi added.
Stakeholders hailed the move as a win for public service broadcasting. Former Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa tweeted, “CS Mbadi’s nod seals the deal for nationwide unity. Harambee Stars, the country’s watching live on KBC!”
KBC, Africa’s oldest broadcaster, vows redemption with a revamped studio in TVC quarters, complete with AR graphics and Swahili-English commentary led by fan favourites.
Beyond the pitch, AFCON 2025 spotlights Morocco’s hosting debut, delayed from summer slots to dodge Ramadan heat, with the Atlas Lions opening against Comoros on December 21 in a 69,500-seat Rabat spectacle.
As December dawns, Mbadi’s pledge transforms dread into delight, ensuring KBC’s airwaves pulse with vuvuzela echoes from Tangier to Marrakech. In a nation where football trumps politics on matchdays, this coverage coup could mend divides, from Gen Z TikTok edits to elders’ radio dials. Will the Harambee Stars roar, or merely rumble? Tune in to KBC.