The preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations by Kenya have moved into a critical phase, with the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium now 94% complete, the National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee has been told.
The 60,000-capacity stadium is one of the principal venues for the tournament, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
The Committee, led by Chairperson Daniel Wanyama, inspected the stadium to assess the country’s readiness for the continental tournament. Members were informed that work on the main stadium was 95% complete, while outdoor training facilities had reached 92% and external works stood at 93%.
The Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for the construction project, told the Committee that the facility remains on course to meet the 31 December deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Once construction is finished, the stadium is expected to undergo about three months of testing and commissioning before it is declared fully operational for the tournament.
The cost of the project has risen to Ksh45.8 billion from an initial budget of Ksh35 billion. The Committee was told the increase was linked to taxes and other unavoidable expenses incurred during construction.
The inspection also examined preparations beyond the stadium itself, including transport, security, healthcare, water, hospitality and training facilities.
Talanta Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will host matches during AFCON 2027, while several other venues have been designated as training sites. They include Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata, Nyayo National Stadium and Police Sacco Stadium, as well as four annex facilities split between Kasarani and Talanta Stadium.
Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County and Utalii Sports Grounds will be used for referee training.
Members raised several questions about whether the supporting infrastructure would be ready to cope with the demands of the tournament.
Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna asked about roads leading to the stadium and plans for handling large numbers of spectators arriving and leaving the facility. He also sought information on protecting the pitch from weeds and other environmental problems.
Mr Nguna further asked about nearby hospitals and medical services for players, officials and fans.
Turbo MP Janet Sitienei questioned whether the stadium and its associated facilities were meeting CAF requirements and asked for an update on the readiness of the designated training grounds.
She also raised the issue of water supply and whether it would be adequate for the expected crowds. Ms Sitienei called for measures to promote sports tourism before, during and after the tournament.
Mr Wanyama asked the project team to provide a detailed report identifying the key requirements highlighted by CAF and showing Kenya’s progress against them.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi also raised concerns about leadership disputes within the Football Kenya Federation and their possible effect on preparations.
“Is there any potential threat from FKF that could undermine this great event that we have planned?” posed Hon. Caroli.
Members also questioned the possible effect of El Niño rains on infrastructure around the stadium and asked about measures to improve security for supporters.
Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo said the Kenya Urban Roads Authority had begun upgrading roads serving the stadium, with the work expected to be completed in April. Internal access roads were also being constructed.
Mr Kilimo said seven designated drop-off points had been planned to help manage pedestrian and vehicle movement. A railway terminus is also being built next to the stadium and is expected to assist transport during major events.
On medical arrangements, the Committee was told that CAF had inspected and approved hospitals close to the venue.
Hospitality preparations are also progressing, with 210 hotels having applied to accommodate teams, officials and visitors. All the hotels were said to have met the required qualification standards, although the large number of eligible establishments has made the final selection more difficult.
Major Engineer Victor King’e, the lead Project Architect, said medical centres had been incorporated on every floor of the stadium. A larger medical facility on the ground floor will be equipped to deal with emergencies and anti-doping requirements.
Water infrastructure includes a one-million-litre auxiliary tank supplied by Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, alongside two 60,000-litre backup tanks and two boreholes.
The stadium will also have eight generators capable of providing the 16 kilovolt supply required when the venue is operating at full capacity. Solar power has been included to support external infrastructure such as street lighting.
Sports Kenya is also preparing a commercialisation policy for the stadium. The policy, which is at an advanced stage, is expected to provide a framework for generating commercial use of the facility through activities including naming rights, concerts and other major events.
The parliamentary Committee’s inspection is part of the wider assessment of Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027.
Its next visit will be to the Moi Sports Complex in Kasarani, where members will examine progress on renovations at the facility.
With the tournament less than a year away, Kenya is continuing work on the venues and supporting infrastructure needed to host the 24 participating African nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
