Along with the ongoing improvements at Moi Kasarani Stadium and the creation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, this project will be managed by the Kenya Defence Forces. Following an inspection on Monday morning by Sports CS Ababu Namwamba of the selected building site at Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road, it appears that work on the new Talanta Stadium is almost finished.
Five months after the land was formally turned over to the Kenya Defense Forces, building on the stadium has not started, despite being one of the host locations for the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
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[Sign Up for Best Betting in Kenya]Along with the ongoing improvements at Moi Kasarani Stadium and the creation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, this project will be managed by the Kenya Defence Forces.
In the past, the CS had given an explanation for the delay in starting construction, citing expert suggestions for changes to the initial drawings that were made public as well as a delay in choosing a contractor to manage the project.
The CS, however, reassured the public that the project will move on according to plan as soon as the required arrangements were made, stressing that Kenya is still well within the deadline for the biennial competition.
“The design is complete, and it will be made public shortly after the contractor is chosen. We are on track for AFCON,” he stated in a Kenyan interview. “Although we previously shared a design with the public, upon consultation with potential contractors, new ideas emerged, prompting further discussions.”
Contrary to earlier rumors, the location of the new stadium had not been decided upon; instead, three alternative sites were being evaluated, as the CS made clear two weeks ago. Although Jamhuri Grounds was the preferred location, Mombasa, Konza, and Nakuru were all being considered.
“Jamhuri Grounds has always been the main location, but it needs to be open to the public’s inspection since it is a publicly sponsored infrastructure. Alternative locations in Nairobi, Konza, and Nakuru have been discussed,” Namwamba told the National Assembly Committee on Sports.
But the contractor’s visit to Jamhuri Grounds on Monday seemed to confirm the location’s selection, ruling out the chance to move the facility out of the capital.
In anticipation of the September CHAN event, work is underway not just at Kasarani but also at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County. The event will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the co-hosts of AFCON 2027.
