Kenya has pulled out of hosting the 2018 edition of the CECAFA Senior Men Challenge Cup, which was to be held in the country later this year.
During a press conference in Nairobi on Tuesday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa revealed that the Federation had to pull out due to lack of funds.
"We won't host CECAFA this year. This is because the federation is broke and can't be able to host teams in the region," he said.
Kenya's withdrawal now throws preparations for this year's edition into a state of disarray.
"We incurred a total of Sh44 Million debt from the previous regime and we are looking to settle these. We still owe our previous coaches money. Adel Amrouche still needs his Sh6 million with Bobby Williamson also still demanding some money from us. The previous regime evaded tax for three years and the taxman has fined us heavily in that. These are monies that we have to pay before we start thinking of hosting competitions like CECAFA," he added.
Kenya last hosted CECAFA in 2017 and won the trophy after beating Zanzibar via post match penalties.
The win gave Kenya its 7th CECAFA title after previously becoming Champions in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002 and 2013.