The government has announced a timeline for the completion of the Ksh45.3 billion Talanta Sports Stadium.
Principal Secretary for the State Department of Sports, Peter K. Tum, revealed on Tuesday, January 28, that the project is progressing as planned as Kenya prepares to co-host the AFCON 2027 tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the stadium's timely completion, Tum stated that the modern facility is expected to be ready by the end of 2025, according to the contractor.
"The contractor confirmed that work is on schedule, with completion set for December 2025. This will allow for testing ahead of the 2026 handover to CAF," the PS's statement read.
Construction of the Talanta Sports Stadium began in March 2024, with the Chinese firm contracted to oversee the construction estimating works would take at least two years.
If the stadium is completed by 2025, it would provide Kenya with ample time to address any remaining infrastructure requirements ahead of AFCON, which is scheduled to begin in June 2027.
Unlike other sports stadiums in the country, the Talanta Sports Complex will be dedicated exclusively to football, featuring a secondary outdoor field. Notably, the pitch will not include a running track, as is common in other major stadia across Kenya.
On Tuesday, PS Peter Tum also commended officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, who have been overseeing the construction of the stadium in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
The design of the Talanta Stadium is also groundbreaking, taking inspiration from Kenya’s national emblem, the shield and two spears.
There is considerable anticipation for the completion of the stadium, as it will mark the first time Kenya unveils an international-standard stadium since the 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, built 36 years ago, and the Nyayo National Stadium, constructed 40 years ago.
With 11 months to go, the sports Ministry will be determined to make amends, especially after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) postponed the African Nations Championship, which was initially slated to start on February 1, 2025.
In an official statement from CAF, the African football governing body acknowledged the progress Kenya had made in preparing to host the games but admitted the infrastructure levels were still not up to standards.
