Kenya to spend Sh57 billion on stadia ahead of Chan and Afcon

Kenya will spend over Sh57 billion on the construction and renovation of stadiums ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Talanta Sports City stadium costing Sh44.4 billion.

The delayed tournament involving locally-based players which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania on August 2-30 this year will act as a dry run for the 2027 Afcon to be staged by the three East African nations. Chan was initially supposed to be held in February but postponed to August due to the hosting nations’ unpreparedness.

Talanta Sports City (60,000-seater), the first-ever modern facility to be built in the country in decades since the construction of Kasarani and Nyayo stadium, will now be completed by February 28, 2026 and not December 2025 as earlier announced.

While it will cost the government Sh6.7 billion to fully renovate Kasarani (60,000 seater) in readiness for Afcon, Sh1.1 billion will be used on the ongoing renovations at Nyayo ahead of Chan. The iconic Kipchoge Keino stadium in Eldoret, an alternative venue for Afcon, will consume more than Sh3.5 billion, with the government spending a combined Sh1.072 billion on the renovation of Police Sacco (Sh582 million) and Ulinzi Sports Complex (Sh490 million). Police Sacco, Sports Complex and Kasarani Annex have been earmarked as training grounds for the two continental showpieces.

Karasani has been shut down for renovations since December 2023, while Nyayo has been opening doors once in a while for a few sporting events as they continue upgrading it with countless visits from the government officials. But based on the ongoing renovations at the two oldest facilities in the country, phase one of Nyayo is set to be completed by June 17, 2025 while Kasarani’s phase one will be ready by June 30, 2025.

Speaking while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture on Thursday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya whose ministry is supporting the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports in upgrading Kasarani and Nyayo as well as overseeing the construction of Talanta, said that Sh2 billion has already been paid to the firm contracted to construct the Ngong Road-based state-of-the-art facility.

"The new stadium is at 37 percent complete, and it is expected to be completed by 28th February 2026," Tuya told the Committee chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama.

"Phase two of changing the status of Kasarani will cost another Sh3.1 billion to make the facility eligible to host Afcon.

In reference to Nyayo, she said: "Already Sh200 million has been paid for the works done on the stadium, another venue for Chan."

While revealing that Sh300 million has been spent on the ongoing renovations at Kipchoge Keino stadium, Tuya said there is significant progress at both Police Sacco stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex.

"Significant progress has been made on all the stadiums and we are confident of beating the deadline set by CAF," said Tuya.

The CS further explained the importance of Kenya hosting the prestigious continental events.

"The hosting of Afcon championship is not only a national pride but has many economic benefits," she said.

Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group A of the 2024 Chan together with Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Angola.