A decade of stadium promises but little action on the ground

At the heart of this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations was the Sports theme.

For a country with so much talent across multiple disciplines, inadequate standard facilities have derailed Kenya's ambition of sitting top among the world's best sporting nations.

Kenya's quest for new quality stadiums across the country has been long overdue. In their 2013 manifesto, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and his then deputy William Ruto made a pledge to construct five modern international stadiums in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. This promise was never fulfilled. The plot thickened in 2017 when the duo sought re-election. In what has become a major reference point of unkept promises of the Jubilee administration, Deputy President Ruto made another commitment that the Jubilee administration would construct the stadiums.

This time round, the number grew from five to nine: Wote Stadium, Kirubia Stadium, Chuka, Moyale Stadium, Kamariny 'historic' Stadium, Ruringu Stadium, Kirigiti Stadium, plus other stadiums in Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret. "Instead of five stadiums, we actually went for nine just to make it good and to make it better," he said. Years later, the promise remained just that. During the signing of the Kenya Kwanza youth manifesto on June 27, 2022, President Ruto promised to use the resources in the Sports Fund for sports and sports infrastructure, blaming his predecessor for using the fund for other projects rather than sports. Fast forward to today, the President is racing to deliver on his promise, albeit with opposition from several quarters. On the first day of his tour of the South Rift region last month, the President slammed his critics, defending his decision to securitise the fund.

 "I want to ask those criticising me, isn't the money in the Sports Fund for sports or is it for disco matanga or parties? This fund has been there for a long time; I am building 32 stadiums in three years, what did that fund do in all those other years?" said Ruto. His administration is constructing more than 32 stadiums in the country at different stages of completion. Ruto says this is part of his government's inclusivity agenda to ensure no region is left behind. At the centre of all the projects is the Kenya Defence Forces, which is conducting military supervision of the projects. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya is one of the 32 undergoing construction.

 In his inspection tour of the stadium in September, the stadium was at 47 per cent completion and it's scheduled for completion by December this year, according to President Ruto. This stadium was initially constructed by the county government, but after further consultations, the Ministry of Defence came in to upgrade the facility from the original 5,000-seat capacity to between 18,000 and 20,000. The stadium is expected to have a canopy, a standard 110 metres by 68 metres football pitch, an eight-lane tartan track and other facilities for netball and volleyball. Upgrading works began in September last year, with the National Government putting in Sh550 million. In the same Nyanza region, Gusii stadium is under construction.

The stadium, which is the home of SportPesa Premier League side Shabana, was deconstructed in order to be built from scratch. At Sh1 billion, a 14,000-seater stadium is being put up with a canopy, tartan track and modern changing rooms. The initial steel structures were demolished in July. President Ruto initially said last year that the National Government was putting Sh500 million toward an upgrade, which changed to a Sh700 million upgrade of the initial structure but during his tour of the region early this year, he said that the whole structure would be built afresh. In neighbouring Nyamira County, the Government did a ground inspection in June this year to review site conditions for the proposed Magwagwa stadium. This was after the tour of the President in the Gusii region early this year. It is expected to be a 10,000-seater stadium and will be complete by January next year, according to the President's commitment.

Migori County is also poised to have another 10,000-seater stadium with an eight-lane tartan track, VIP lounges, a gymnasium, basketball, among other facilities. Ruto directed that the stadium construction be fast-tracked last year in December when he attended a football tournament organised by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed. In August, the stadium was at 70 per cent completion, with floodlights, the roof and seats being included, according to the construction manager. Suna East legislator Junet, however, puts completion at 60 per cent in his X page post on September 16. It is expected to be complete in December. In Kisumu County, Moi Stadium is under construction by the National Government.

The 10,000-seater stadium, which will have a CAF standard pitch and a tartan track, is poised to be complete in December. Upgrading works started in April and it was at 20 per cent completion in August, after the December 2025 groundbreaking. The Sh800 million upgrade is expected to be complete by December. In the Western region, three stadiums are under construction. Kidundu stadium in Vihiga is one of them and it was at 20 per cent completion in August, according to an update by Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru. The 10,000-seater is expected to cost Sh900 million. In Busia, another stadium is being constructed and it was at five per cent completion when PS Mariru visited the site in August. Groundbreaking was done by the President in March this year and it is expected to have a standard pitch, tartan track, three VIP lounges and a canopy.

The historic Bukhungu stadium is also undergoing an upgrade by the National Government. The stadium is expected to have a 25,000-seat capacity, a FIFA-standard pitch, an eight-lane track, modern changing rooms, a VIP pavilion and floodlights. It was 55 per cent complete in August, according to PS Mariru and it will be a FIFA Category 2 stadium. Already, Central Organisation of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwoli has stated that the stadium will hold a political meeting at the stadium on Boxing Day this year, dubbed Mulembe 3. At the coast, Taita Taveta will have a 10,000-seater stadium constructed by the National Government in Voi. PS Mariru was on-site in August, stating that works were at 32 per cent completion and it’s expected to be complete in December this year. It will have a standard pitch, track, canopy and VIP lounges, for Sh900 million.

Meanwhile, in Mombasa, a 15,000-seater stadium is under construction at 30 per cent completion by August, with full completion expected in December. Works are currently ongoing. The stadium was initially done by former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho but it is undergoing an upgrade at Sh1.4 billion, according to President Ruto.

Another stadium is being built in Kilifi after a directive from President Ruto during his tour in May this year at a cost of 1 billion shillings. It is expected to be completed in December this year. In the central region, the Government is building a number of stadiums. In Murang'a alone, Gakoigo stadium in Maragua constituency is being built for Sh900 million, while in Kiharu, the Mumbi stadium is being built at Sh950 million. Both stadiums have a 10,000-seat capacity, with standard football pitches, eight-lane tracks and VIP pavilions, and are both earmarked for completion in December this year.

In Kiambu, the 10,000-capacity Thika stadium is being constructed at Sh900 million. It is expected to have a football pitch, tartan track, high-intensity floodlights and a basketball court. Completion is expected to be in December after the foundation was laid in April this year. Reports from PS Mariru show it was at 20 per cent completion in July. Neighbouring Nyeri has Ruringu stadium being constructed by the National Government. The stadium has stalled since the Uhuru presidency and after numerous false promises from both the President and his predecessor, construction works stood at 40 per cent completion in March. When President Ruto was in Nyeri in March this year, he stated that this year's National Jamhuri Day celebrations will be held in the stadium. A standard pitch is being built together with an eight-lane track, VIP pavilions and changing rooms for the 10,000-seater stadium.

 In Nanyuki, Laikipia County, the Laikipia stadium is being upgraded to have an eight-lane athletics track, football pitch, VIP and VVIP lounges, administrative offices, team changing rooms, spectator ablution blocks and a full stadium canopy. The project started in April and it is expected to be completed in December. PS Mariru was on-site on September 4, where he stated that foundational works were complete and terrace erection was ongoing. Nakuru's iconic Afraha stadium, where the political marriage of President Uhuru's National Alliance TNA and President Ruto's United Republican Party (URP) was publicised, is also being upgraded from 8,200 seats to 15,000, with a long-term view of 20,000 capacity.

Works commenced in November last year and it has also been earmarked for completion by the end of this year. The stadium will have floodlights, an enhanced football pitch and a tartan track. Ol-Kalou stadium in Nyandarua is another 10,000-seater stadium at 13% complete in August this year; completion is expected to be at the end of this year after works started in May. In Meru, the Government is constructing Maua stadium after works commenced in June following President Ruto's directive. The county Government was in the process of acquiring parcels of land before work began. Turkana has also not been left behind, with another Sh900 million, 10,000-capacity stadium being constructed in Lodwar. This followed a directive from the President when he visited the county in December. The stadium will have a track for athletics, a football pitch and VIP lounges. Consultations done between the county and National Government in August indicated that works were set to begin. In his political stronghold of the Rift, the President is constructing eight stadiums. The Rift, which is famous for producing athletes, is set to be the biggest beneficiary. In Uasin Gishu County, the 64 Stadium in Eldoret, which has stalled for years and the Kipchoge Keino Stadium are being done. Kipchoge Keino, which is hosting this year's celebrations, has a 15,000 capacity.

 Floodlights, modern media facilities, international-standard changing rooms, among other Confederation of African Football-compliant infrastructure. It is also one of the training venues earmarked for next year's African Cup of Nations (AFCON). In Elgeyo Marakwet, the historic Kamariny stadium is also being constructed and it is part of the stadiums co-hosting the Mashujaa Day celebrations. It is expected to be complete by January next year.

It was supposed to be the main venue before changes were made. In Baringo, the 10,000-capacity Kabarnet stadium is being built after the groundbreaking in January. Progress now stands at 29.4%, according to an update when the President visited the site on Thursday last week.

In Bomet County, the Kipchamba stadium is being built at Sh1 billion. Completion is expected to be this December. It is expected to become the home turf for League side APS Bomet. In Kericho, the Kericho Green Stadium, which was renamed the Kiprugut Chumo in honour of the first Olympic medallist, is being rebuilt. It hosted the Mashujaa Day celebrations in 2023 but it was demolished to start upgrading works. Another IAAF tartan track with a modern pitch is being built for the 20,000-capacity stadium. Sh1 billion has been allocated for the construction. Kapkatet Stadium is another stadium in Kericho being constructed at Sh1.1 billion. The stadium is a 10,000-seater stadium and is expected to have a tartan track, football pitch and other facilities. The last one being done in the region is the Eliud Kipchoge stadium in Nandi, which was at 50% completion when the President inspected progress on Sunday.

Completion has been set for December this year. An IAAF standard 10-lane mixed surface track, structural canopy and a standard pitch are some of the works being done. Works were at 34 per cent completion in August, with full completion expected in December. Additionally, the North Rift region is expected to get two more stadiums, with President Ruto pledging to set aside 800 million shillings for a stadium in Kapenguria, West Pokot County, plus another one in Trans Nzoia County. The President ordered a site inspection of the West Pokot stadium to be done on Monday. In Samburu, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya officiated the official groundbreaking of the Maralal stadium on 19th September, which will be a 10,000-seater facility.

Apart from these stadiums, the Government is doing renovation works at Nyayo National Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex, which are expected to be training facilities for 2027 AFCON. Major renovations are also being done at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, which is one of the two venues for the upcoming continental showpiece. The stadium is also the main facility to be used for the historic 2029 World Athletics Championships. While construction is ongoing on the 32 stadiums, it remains to be seen whether the Government will meet its December deadline for all the stadiums which are supposed to be complete this year. Ruringu Stadium, for example, has had a start-stop story, with residents complaining about the status of completion.

Other stadiums already constructed by the Government are the Kwale Stadium, which hosted the FKF Cup final this year; Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, which hosted the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations; Wajir Stadium, which hosted this year's Madaraka Day celebrations; and Ithookwe, which hosted the 2025 Mashujaa Day celebrations.

There has been growing concern over whether the stadiums being constructed meet the CAF or FIFA requirements. Part of the reason for this is the deteriorating standards of stadiums already built by the Government. For example, the Kericho Green Stadium, which hosted a national celebration, has been demolished for the construction of another structure. Maintenance is also another big concern. Stadiums are high-maintenance facilities. There was uproar over the status of the Kanduyi stadium, which hosted the 2024 Madaraka Day celebrations, after it was left unattended after the celebrations. The Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay and the Ithookwe Stadium are also in worrying condition after hosting the celebrations. Questions are being raised about whether the stadiums are being built hurriedly in a substandard way to serve a short-term purpose only to become cash cows. With the 2029 World Athletics Championships coming to Nairobi, Kenyans have placed a fresh demand on the Government to do quality work.

 This is because some of the stadiums will end up becoming training centres for the athletes who will be participating in the Championships. Some stadiums are also located far away from the main towns, making accessibility an issue. Lessons can also be borrowed from other countries on the continent. Equatorial Guinea hosted the 2015 AFCON alone with only four CAF-approved stadiums. Other countries in the region, like Uganda, have two CAF-approved stadiums.

Other critics have argued that it would have been in the best interests of the country to construct a few quality stadiums. Whether the stadiums are a priority is also a conversation Kenyans are having, with the opposition dismissing the Government for prioritising stadiums over youth empowerment. Sports analyst Mark Kinyanjui has applauded the 32 stadiums, saying that is how Morocco grew to become a football powerhouse. "This strategy of having 32 stadiums across the country is more realistic because kids need easily available facilities in standard condition to grow their talents.

A good flat surface is easy to maintain," he said, adding that it is good for the level at which the country is. Kinyanjui, however, adds that more stadiums need to be built to give platforms for more grassroots talents to make a career out of themselves and help lower league teams to host their games. He also adds that because the Government has demonstrated inability to maintain stadiums in the past, doing other five or more world class stadiums will not be easy to maintain. Ruto has also been accused of making the stadium a campaign strategy to woo some regions to back his second-term bid. In his recent tour of Kajiado County, he promised another Sh1 billion stadium for Kitengela without a clear budget line. Alongside the stadiums, 37 sports academies are also being built.

The deliberate effort to build sports infrastructure in a country that focuses on other national priorities has also been applauded. As the debate goes on, all eyes are on the Government to see the outcome of the 32 stadiums and their impact on Kenyan football and sports in general.