Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya/HANDOUT Talanta Stadium will have its own electricity substation to guarantee reliable power supply when the facility hosts matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon), Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya has said.
Mvurya said the dedicated power source is necessary because the stadium will require significant electricity to run its modern facilities.
“This stadium will require a lot of power to run and that is why we are constructing a substation,” Mvurya said on Wednesday during a tour of the facility to assess the progress of construction.
The CS expressed confidence that the stadium will be ready in time for Afcon, with the pitch already completed and work progressing on three training grounds attached to the facility.
“We have seen substantial progress in this project. The pitch is ready and the three training grounds attached to this facility are at 50 per cent, 40 per cent and the other is also showing good progress,” he said.
“We as a ministry are getting ready to host Afcon matches. I want to assure Kenyans that we are in a good position to complete this project ahead of Afcon.”
Mvurya said the facility had also been fitted with modern LED screens and sound systems, while consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were ongoing on adjustments to key areas, including the presidential pavilion.
“We have enhanced security in this facility in accordance with the CAF requirements,” he added.
The CS said accessibility to Talanta Stadium was also being addressed, with plans for a railway connection to Bomas of Kenya and improvements to the surrounding road network.
“This facility will be connected to Bomas of Kenya through a railway. The road networks are also being considered for development despite a court case challenging that,” he said.
Mvurya said the government was working on 32 other stadium projects across the country as part of its wider sports development programme.
“We have 32 more stadiums we are working on across the country to ensure we are nurturing talents across the country,” he said.
He added that work was ongoing at Kasarani Stadium and its training grounds, Police Sacco Stadium and Nyayo Stadium, which will also be used during Afcon.
“We are also working on alternative fields away from Nairobi. Kipchoge Keino and others are coming up well,” Mvurya said.
The government also plans to install a canopy at Nyayo Stadium after Afcon, despite it not being a CAF requirement.
“We are working on installation of a canopy in Nyayo after Afcon to ensure we raise the standards even though it is not a CAF requirement,” he added.
