President William Ruto has instructed Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Defence counterpart Aden Duale to oversee the expedited completion of the Talanta Sports City within a remarkable two-year timeframe.
Addressing attendees during the groundbreaking ceremony held at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi on Friday, March 1, Ruto underscored his expectations for the contractor to adhere strictly to all specified timelines. The stadium is slated to serve as Kenya's primary venue during the 2027 AFCON tournament.
During his address, the Commander-in-Chief also directed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to conduct regular inspections to ensure that the construction adheres to established standards throughout the process.
According to Ruto, the world-class facility should be constructed with military precision.
KDF has been tasked with being the manager of the construction.
"We want this stadium to be built to world-class standards using military discipline. So I will expect the defence team to ensure that all the timelines are kept by the contractor.
"I expected that there would be supervision every week, every two weeks and I will be here every three months until this facility is completed," he stated.
Upon completion, the Talanta Sports City will serve as a venue for both football and rugby matches, with additional provisions for hosting concerts.
Furthermore, Ruto urged the Ministries to prioritise cost-saving measures throughout the project.
In reference to other facilities, the Head of State announced that the refurbishment of the Kasarani Stadium will be completed by the end of this year, with works on the Nyayo Stadium to commence shortly thereafter.
The KDF has also been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the renovations.
Kenya alongside Uganda and Tanzania will host the 2027 AFCON tournament. Being among the hosts, Harambee Stars automatically qualified for the event.
