In the outskirts of Nairobi City, where dust used to swirl across Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road, a massive new building is rising, a sign of hope, hard work, and sporting ambition. Talanta Stadium, the flagship arena of Kenya’s sleek Talanta Sports City, is more than concrete and steel; it is a national dream rising brick by brick, carrying the hopes of an entire continent on its shoulders.
Launched in early 2024 as a key project under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the stadium shows Kenya’s eagerness to win back its place on Africa’s sporting stage. Planned to host headline matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), it will also play a key role in the nations build-up for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), when teams like Chad come to Kenya for the biggest showcase of homegrown talent.
Work on the stadium kicked off in early 2024 and, projected to be 100% completed by December this year with a budget of up to Ksh 40 billion overseen by the Kenya Defence Forces Engineers while China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) carries out the heavy lifting. At the busiest moments, more than 3,300 workers-split roughly into 2,000 by day and 1,300 on the night shift-are spread across the site to speed things along.
“I am pleased to report that the project is progressing well and is on track for completion by December 2025, in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), They have already fixed the lights. The field has regenerated very well, including the grass and other pending works. Great progress has been made, and I’m optimistic about the venue’s readiness,” Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya noted during one of his visits in January this year.
By mid-June 2025, the Ministry of Sports has confirmed that the first two rows of seating are in place and crews have shifted to the third tier and the canopy overhead. On May 23rd, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya made an impromptu visit to the stadium and later reported that roughly 45 percent of the entire project was finished.
“The football/rugby specific Stadium, currently 45% complete, will be one of the venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The iconic sports city that includes the stadium and auxiliary facilities will expand Kenya’s offering as a sporting destination of choice in Africa, add to Nairobi City’s stadia infrastructure and open the sports value chain for business and employment creation. Talanta is among several flagship Government infrastructure projects that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is overseeing through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF),” the CS wrote on her official Social Media handles after the visit.
The team has already logged significant milestones. Crews have poured most of the lower and middle tiers, and the third level is now rising overhead. Sections of the sweeping roof canopy are being bolted together, and the outer skin, stamped with national symbols, is going up at a steady clip. Groundwork for the pitch has begun, and when finished it will measure a full FIFA-approved 105 by 68 meters.
Meanwhile, press boxes, VAR and goal-line rooms, modern changing rooms, and more than 3,000 parking spaces are taking shape. The wider Sports City plan still leaves room for rugby, football, and athletics training pitches just steps from the main arena.
During President William Ruto’s latest inspection of the progress in late April, he commended the speed at which the stadium is shaping up and the bright minds and skillful young Kenyans who are working day and night to produce a state-of-the-art stadium. Most importantly, the Head of State reaffirmed that the deadline will be met and made an assurance to Kenyans.
“With this pace, the Talanta Sports City, with a football pitch while outside the stadium is an athletic field and rugby training grounds, will be ready by December 2025. This is how we are going to build our nation by harnessing knowledge, skills and the expertise of our youth. I am happy with the progress being made here. I am optimistic we’ll beat the December date,” President Ruto reaffirmed during his visit on Friday 19th April.
The government has brought on board several ministries, as well as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), to map out new access roads and upgrade the transport network around the stadium. Close teamwork with the Ministry of Environment has sped up the green light for the ongoing curtain wall and landscaping work.
Still, the build has faced tough questions. An early 2025 audit flagged KES 1.2 billion in irregular spending, citing payments that could not be verified and a demolition process that lacked clear records. The Ministry of Sports however rushed to clear the air and vowed to lift transparency by rolling out a firmer system to watch over funds.
Even with these hurdles, officials are hopeful the stadium will be nearly ready by December 2025. Crews are pushing to finish vital areas such as changing rooms, drainage under the pitch, media zones, and seat blocks ahead of time.
With the cutting-edge design, roomy stands, and central site, Talanta Stadium looks set to be a flagship venue for East Africa’s sport, fitting neatly into Kenya’s wider plan to upgrade the already existing Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums.
