Sports CS Salim Mvurya has provided an update over the renovations of the Bukhungu and Kipchoge Keino stadia.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has shed light on the progress of renovations at Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium and clarified the status of Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, both crucial projects ahead of Kenya’s co-hosting duties for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The long-awaited renovation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which had been stalled for 17 months, has resumed under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). The project, managed by China’s Sinohydro Construction Company, aims to transform the facility into an international-standard venue suitable for hosting global sporting events.
Progress at Kipchoge Keino Stadium
Speaking on the stadium’s redevelopment, Mvurya expressed optimism about meeting the timelines for its completion.
“I was at Kipchoge Keino last week in Uasin Gishu. Kipchoge Keino will be one of the (possible) main stadia for the AFCON, but we also decided to renovate 64 Stadium as a training ground, as well as another in Kapsabet,” said Mvurya.
“The contractor has been reinstated, and we are processing his statement in order to remain on-site. We are fast-tracking it to be ready.”
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Sports CS Salim Mvurya has given an update over the progress of Talanta Sports City, which will host the 2027 AFCON following an imprompt visit to the ground on Tuesday afternoon.
The stadium, which hosted the 2016 Rio Olympics trials to a packed capacity of 10,000, is undergoing an upgrade that will see its seating capacity increased to 15,000. However, progress has been marred by delays since the reconstruction began in 2017, with construction often halted for prolonged periods.
In addition to Kipchoge Keino Stadium, the 12,000-capacity 64 Stadium in Eldoret is being prepared as a training facility for teams during AFCON 2027.
According to Uasin Gishu County Executive for Sports, Lucy Ngendo, the renovation project is approximately 65 per cent complete. The work, jointly funded by the World Bank and the county government, had stalled since July 2023.
Addressing delays at Bukhungu Stadium
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The President was not impressed by the slow progress of construction work of the stadium which was among those earmarked to host the CHAN 2024 tournament.
Mvurya also provided an update on Bukhungu Stadium, which has faced significant delays since the national government took over its renovation nearly a year ago. President William Ruto had previously reprimanded the contractor responsible during an unannounced visit in December 2024, citing dissatisfaction with the project’s slow pace.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted recent efforts to reassess the project and develop a clear path forward. “We have done a reassessment of the work, as well as the entire design, and we will be going there to follow up on the completion. We will have a discussion with the contractor before we commence,” he stated.
Mvurya revealed that a technical report on the project had been submitted just a day prior, on January 22, 2025. “The report was submitted yesterday, and we are discussing the final details of the technical work so that we can find out how to commence the work,” he concluded.
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Kenya’s ambitious plan to host part of the 2027 AFCON matches in the football-rich regions of Nyanza and Western Kenya has suffered a significant setback with majority of the stadia yet to meet FIFA’s required standards.
