The National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee has inspected the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium to assess the country’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The tournament, scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027, will bring together 24 African nations for the continent’s premier football competition. The Committee, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Daniel Wanyama was informed that construction of the 60,000-seater stadium had reached 94 per cent overall completion. The main stadium works are at 95 per cent, outdoor training facilities at 92 per cent, and external works at 93 per cent.
The Ministry of Defence, who are undertaking the project, assured the Committee that they were on course to meet the 31 December deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Committee was further informed that upon completion, the facility would undergo approximately three months of testing and commissioning to ensure all systems and facilities are fully operational ahead of the tournament.
The cost of the project currently stands at Ksh45.8 billion, up from the initial budget of Ksh35 billion. The Committee was informed that the increase was attributed to taxes and other unavoidable costs arising during implementation.
The tournament will be hosted at the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with other facilities designated as training venues. These include Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata, Nyayo National Stadium and Police Sacco Stadium, alongside four annex training facilities, two at Kasarani and two at Talanta Stadium. Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County and Utalii Sports Grounds will also be used for referee training.
During the inspection, Members sought clarification on various aspects of the country’s preparedness, including infrastructure, transport, security, healthcare, water supply, hospitality and the readiness of training facilities.
Mwingi West MP, Hon. Charles Nguna, raised concerns over access roads to the stadium and measures to manage the movement of large crowds in and out of the facility. He also sought clarification on measures to protect the playing surface from weeds and other environmental challenges.
Hon. Nguna further sought information on the availability and proximity of hospitals and medical facilities to cater for players, officials and spectators during the tournament. Turbo MP, Hon. Janet Sitienei, sought clarification on whether the stadium and its supporting facilities were meeting the required CAF standards, as well as the status of the designated training facilities.
She also questioned whether the available water supply would be sufficient to meet the demands of large crowds expected during the tournament and called for strategies to promote sports tourism before, during, and after AFCON 2027. Hon. Wanyama asked the project team to furnish the Committee with a detailed report outlining the critical tasks identified by CAF and the country’s current position against those requirements.
Suba South MP, Hon. Caroli Omondi raised concerns about recent leadership disputes within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and sought clarification on how the Local Organising Committee was addressing potential governance challenges that could affect preparations for the tournament.
“Is there any potential threat from FKF that could undermine this great event that we have planned?” posed Hon. Caroli.
Members also sought clarification on the potential impact of the anticipated El Niño rains on infrastructure within and around the stadium, as well as measures to enhance security for fans accessing the facility.
In response, Sports Kenya Director General, Mr. Timothy Kilimo informed the Committee that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KeRRA) had commenced improvement works on roads serving the facility, with completion targeted for April. He added that internal access roads were also under construction.
Mr. Kilimo said plans had been developed to manage the movement of pedestrians and vehicles, including seven designated drop-off points. A railway terminus is also under construction adjacent to the stadium, which is expected to support transportation during major events.
On healthcare, the Committee was informed that CAF had inspected and approved hospitals located near the stadium.
The Committee was also informed that 210 hotels had applied to accommodate teams, officials and visitors, with all meeting the required qualification standards. The high number of qualifying facilities had presented a challenge in selecting the final establishments, Members heard.
Major Engineer Victor King’e, the lead Project Architect, said the stadium had been designed with medical centres on each floor and a major medical facility on the ground floor equipped to handle medical emergencies and anti-doping requirements.
On water supply, Eng. King’e said the stadium had an auxiliary one-million-litre water tank supplied by Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, supported by two 60,000-litre backup tanks and two boreholes.
On power supply, the Committee was informed that the stadium had eight generators capable of providing the 16 kilovolt supply required when the facility is operating at full capacity. Solar power has also been incorporated to support external features, including street lighting.
Mr. Kilimo further informed the Committee that Sports Kenya had developed a commercialisation policy that was at an advanced stage of preparation. The policy will provide a framework for the commercial use of the facility, including naming rights, concerts and other major events.
The Committee is set to tour the Moi Sports Complex in Kasarani next to assess the facilities’ renovation progress.
