THE construction of the iconic Raila Odinga Talanta City Stadium in Nairobi, now nearly complete, is the highlight of President William Ruto’s mega plan to build a sports economy value chain.
This includes hosting international sporting events, training facilities and manufacturing sports apparel and equipment.
The 60,000-seater will have its own electricity substation to guarantee reliable power supply when the facility hosts matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said.
The pitch is ready and work progressing on three training grounds attached to the stadium.
The government is building 32 modern stadiums around the country to provide adequate facilities to develop sports talents among the country’s youth.
President launched a Sh1 billion upgrade of Gusii Stadium to transform the facility into a 14,000-seater venue with a Fifa-standard pitch, a VIP pavilion and covered terraces.
The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs for residents in construction and related sectors. Ruto also promised a new stadium for Nyamira county worth Sh950 million.
In February, CS Mvurya inaugurated the construction of a 10,000-seater stadium in Thika town at a cost of Sh850 million.
The project involves transforming the town’s ageing stadium into a state-of-the-art sports complex.
The new Thika Stadium will feature a new playing turf, modern changing rooms, a swimming pool, basketball courts, improved spectator terraces, floodlights and other supporting amenities aimed at enhancing both competitive and community sports.
In the same month, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi and his Defence counterpart Patrick Mariru met Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to agree on the modalities of upgrading Mombasa Stadium.
The military is overseeig the stadium's reconstruction, with works expected to be complete by December.
The construction of the 10,000-seater Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga is underway. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said during the ground-breaking ceremony that the project will be completed in nine months.
Last December, the construction of the Sh800 million modern Mumbi Stadium in Murang’a started.
The ground-breaking ceremony was presided over by Mvurya, who confirmed that the 10,000-seater facility will occupy seven acres and would be completed in 12 months.
The new Sh900 million Wajir Stadium hosted this year's Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1. President Ruto announced the 10,000-seater project on February 12 when he toured the county.
Kitui’s Ithookwe Stadium was completed last year and hosted Mashujaa Day national celebrations on October 20.
