Editor's Review
At the centre of the programme is the nearly complete 60,000-seat Raila Odinga Talanta City Stadium, which is expected to play a major role during the 2027 AFCON.
The government is expanding sports infrastructure across the country as part of a strategy to grow Kenya’s sports economy and strengthen the country's ability to host major international sporting events.
At the centre of the programme is the nearly complete 60,000-seat Raila Odinga Talanta City Stadium, which is expected to play a major role when Kenya hosts matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The facility is being developed alongside several other stadium projects aimed at improving the country’s sporting infrastructure.
The Talanta City Stadium will have its own electricity substation to provide a reliable power supply, while three attached training grounds are also under construction.
The government is also undertaking the construction of 32 modern stadiums across the country, with the projects expected to improve sporting facilities.
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Among the projects are the Ksh1 billion upgrade of Gusii Stadium, the proposed Ksh950 million Nyamira Stadium and the Ksh850 million Thika Stadium.
Mombasa Stadium is undergoing reconstruction, while the 10,000-seat Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga and the Ksh800 million Mumbi Stadium in Murang’a are also under construction.
Some of the new facilities have already been put to national use.
The Ksh900 million Wajir Stadium hosted this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, while Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui, which was completed last year, hosted the Mashujaa Day national celebrations.
The expansion of sports infrastructure is also expected to increase Kenya’s ability to attract and host more high-level international competitions.
Kenya Rugby Union vice-chairman Moses Ndale has described Talanta Stadium as a potential game changer for rugby because of its capacity to provide a modern venue for major international matches.
"This is massive for the sport. We can now say Talanta can host top-flight rugby events and it is a step in the right direction," he said.
Nyayo Stadium has already hosted the HSBC Sevens Challenger, while the Kenya Rugby Union is exploring the possibility of staging a future edition of the competition at Talanta Stadium.
Beyond the construction of stadiums, government support has also been extended to national teams preparing for international competitions.
This has included accommodation at the Kasarani hostels, support during preparations and, where necessary, assistance to secure additional technical personnel.
This comes weeks after Kenya entered the race to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with Nairobi submitting its application to stage the competition.
In a statement on Monday, August 10, Athletics Kenya said the government is seeking to bring the senior World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time.
"Kenya has put forward a robust, government-backed bid that is expected to serve as a strong, historic push for the African continent.
"If successful, the selection of Nairobi would mark the first time the senior World Athletics Championships are held in Africa," the statement read.
Athletics Kenya highlighted several major international athletics competitions previously staged locally, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Athletics Under-18 Championships in Nairobi and the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships, also held in Nairobi.
The country also hosts annual World Athletics Gold Label events, including the Kip Keino Classic track and field meeting in Nairobi and the Sirkwa Classic Cross Country Championships in Uasin Gishu County.
Nairobi further hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium.
"The government has committed its full support to the bid, ensuring the necessary organizational framework, security measures, and modern infrastructure required to host a world-class global showpiece," the statement added.
Nairobi will face competition from three major European cities as it seeks to secure the right to host the 2029 championships, with London, Rome and Munich also in contention for the prestigious event.
"The winning host cities for both the 2029 and 2031 championships will be announced by World Athletics after the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary next month," the statement concluded.
