Billions, deadlines and dreams: Kenya’s Afcon 2027 rush for stadiums

It is all coming together. The iconic Talanta City Stadium (also known as Raila Odinga International Stadium) in Nairobi is nearing completion as construction proceeds nonstop.

"Even during holidays like Easter and Christmas we work in shifts. Construction does not stop. If we were taking breaks, this work would not have reached where it is today,” Brian Githinji, a crane driver, said.  

"It's a great project. I have not had any challenges meeting the needs of my family in the past two years.”  

At least 3,700 people have worked at the massive site on Ngong Road since construction began in March 2024.  

Kenya’s profile is fast rising as a regional football powerhouse, as the government fast-tracks preparations to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations next year.  

This is part of President William Ruto’s ambitious infrastructure development plan to build Kenya’s multifaceted sports economy, support talents and create jobs. 

Kenya will co-host the month-long football extravaganza under the East Africa Pamoja bid with Uganda and Tanzania between June 17 and  July 18 next year, marking the first time three East African nations will stage the tournament together.  

The world-class 60,000-seater stadium is one of the proposed venues. The other is the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.  

Tanzania intends to use Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Samia Suluhu Stadium in Arusha and the Fumba and Amaan Stadia in Zanzibar.  

Uganda’s venues for the tournament include Hoima City Stadium, Mandela National Stadium and Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.  

The Confederation of African Football warned last month that none of the proposed venues currently meet the standards required to host Afcon 2027.  

The East African governments are speeding up stadium construction and renovations, safety upgrades and other infrastructure improvements to ensure all facilities are ready in time.

A high-level delegation from the world football governing body, Fifa and Caf toured the Talanta City complex last Tuesday.  

“We see this visit as a vote of confidence in how Kenya is making progress in developing football,” Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said.  

“The delegation has visited Raila Odinga Talanta City Stadium and they have appreciated the progress we are making in ensuring that we have a legacy facility that will help us develop football talent in our country,” Mvurya added.  

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting the matches by completing payment of the required Sh3.9 billion hosting fee.  

“The government of Kenya is investing a lot in infrastructure development beyond Nairobi because we want to tap talents from the grassroots,” the CS said, adding that, “Kenya is now on the right trajectory.”  

Mvurya described the high-level visit as building confidence in the government, CAF, and other Afcon 2027 stakeholders.  

Gelson Fernandes, FIFA’s Deputy Chief Member Associations and Regional Director Africa, praised the collaboration between Kenya and the world football governing body to develop the sport.  

“We have a clear plan. Our president agreed with the head of state of Kenya regarding land last year in August, and we are on track. There are some specifics that we need to correct but we are there; we will do the plan. In terms of infrastructure, the Fifa arena will be launched here in the country shortly,” Fernandes said.

“The technical centre [in Machakos] is an important point and we have discussed in the past the stadium issue in Mombasa together with FKF (Football Kenya Federation) president Hussein Mohamed and we will analyse. As the minister has said, talent is not only in Nairobi but in different parts of the country.”  

Mohamed said Kenya and regional partners Tanzania and Uganda will stage an Afcon bonanza surpassing previous editions.  

“Together with Caf and the support of Fifa, we are confident that we will meet and exceed expectations,” Mohamed said. The Afcon 2027 is a unique opportunity for the region to demonstrate its infrastructure, organisational strength, and growth, he added.  

Caf acting secretary-general Samson Adamu reiterated Kenya’s readiness to co-host the tournament, highlighting the success of Chan 2024 in Nairobi last year. “We have a big challenge ahead with the next Africa Cup of Nations, but we can do it together,” he said. 

Adamu said infrastructure such as the Talanta Sports City and Moi International Sports Centre as indicators of preparedness, adding that the collaboration of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda would help deliver a memorable continental tournament.  

The FIFA Arena Programme targets the construction of 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031 to expand access to safe playing spaces for children.  

Alongside this, Fifa launched the “Boots for All” initiative, under which 20,000 pairs of branded boots will be distributed globally to reduce financial barriers for young players.  

Kenya is hosting the FIFA Women’s Series matches featuring Australia, India and Malawi.  

The construction of the iconic Raila Odinga Talanta City Stadium is the highlight of President Ruto’s mega plan to build a sports economy value chain that includes hosting international sporting events, training facilities and manufacturing sports apparel and equipment.  

The government is building 22 modern stadiums around the country to provide adequate facilities to develop sports talents among the country’s youth.  

Last week, during a development tour of the Gusii region, the 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 local 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 will oversee the stadium's reconstruction, with works expected to be complete by December this year.  

The construction of the 10,000-seater Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga began last month. 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 Sh900 million Wajir Stadium is being fast-tracked to host 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.