The construction of Talanta Stadium continues to make impressive progress, unlocking a new milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize sporting facilities.
Images shared by President William Ruto on Friday, October 24, showed the stadium’s unique steel framework and exterior design taking shape.
Cranes and other heavy machinery remain actively engaged in structural installations and roofing works.
The oval-shaped facility is steadily transforming into what is expected to be one of East Africa’s most iconic sporting venues.
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Talanta Stadium is part of a broader plan to prepare Kenya for major continental and international sporting events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya is set to co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Once completed, the stadium will boast a modern design, high seating capacity, advanced pitch technology, and world-class amenities for athletes, fans, and media personnel.
Elsewhere, this comes weeks after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro hit out at the government over the Ksh44.8 billion infrastructure bond issued by Linzi Finco to fund the construction of the Talanta Sports Stadium.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 23, Nyoro warned that Kenyans will pay back over Ksh100 billion in interest alone for the bond by the time it matures.
"Since the government debt is already overstretched, the government is coming up with this kind of facilities so that it does not seem like our debt is growing, whereas we are having another secret book of debt. One secret book was the fuel levy; the second is this Talanta bond under the auspices of the Sports Fund," he said.
Nyoro pointed out that the loan attracts an interest rate of 15.04 percent semiannually, translating to approximately Ksh3.4 billion, which will be paid from the Sports Fund every six months.
"The interest rate is 15.04 per cent. It may seem like just figures, but they affect every Kenyan because it means the government will be paying around Ksh3.4 billion from the Sports Fund every six months. At the maturity of the bond in the next 15 years, Kenyans will have paid over Ksh100 billion for a loan of Ksh44.8 billion," he added.
Nyoro further questioned why the government was in a rush to secure a loan that, upon maturity, would cost more than double the principal amount in interest alone.
"From where we see it, it is a very reckless manner of running the finances of a country because we are now mortgaging our income streams. Experienced officers in the National Treasury do not even support it," he further said.
Elsewhere, Ruto addressed the transport challenge that faces the Talanta City Stadium upon its completion.
He visited the facility on Friday, April 11, where he met with the engineers and the labourers undertaking the construction works.
In their engagements, one of the engineers pointed out to Ruto that once the stadium is complete, the transportation system for sports fans would be the major challenge.
"The major issue will be the transport, the flow of 60,000 people. We have had a meeting with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on which roads need to be expanded," the engineer said.
Ruto, while acknowledging the concern, immediately phoned Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir over the matter.
He instructed the CS to initiate the development of a modern rail system that would facilitate seamless access to the stadium.
Further, Ruto directed the engineers at the facility to augment energy supply by installing solar panels that will complement the supply from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
"Where it is that we can place solar panels, we should. I am very happy with this," he said.
