Ruto pledges Ksh1.4B to complete Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega
By Kenneth Mwenda, January 1, 2026President William Ruto has pledged Ksh1.4 billion to complete Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County as part of a wider effort to improve sports infrastructure across Kenya.
The announcement was made during the FCPA Barasa Governor’s Cup at the stadium on Thursday, January 1, 2025.
“This investment is part of our wider plan for Kakamega County, where we have already committed Ksh35 billion to accelerate development and improve livelihoods,” Ruto said in a series of posts on his official social media account.
The president highlighted that once completed, Bukhungu Stadium will seat 25,000 people, making it the largest facility in Western Kenya and a strong base for nurturing sporting talent.
He also confirmed that Kenya will build 21 modern stadia across the country, including the Talanta Sports City Stadium, which is expected to deliver world-class facilities later this year.
The commitment comes after criticism over delays in completing Bukhungu Stadium. In July 2025, the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) gave the county government a one-month deadline to finish the stadium ahead of the East African Secondary Schools Games.
Nelson Sifuna, the head of the Directorate for Field Coordination and Co-curricular Activities, warned that if work was not finished on time, an alternative venue would be sought.
FEASSA noted that other venues in Kakamega were ready for the games, but Bukhungu Stadium required urgent attention. The county’s sports executive, Jackline Masicha, said the contractor had increased work pace and that weekly site meetings were held to ensure the project stayed on track. Kakamega County will host the national secondary schools ball games from July 26 to August 2, followed by the East Africa Games from August 12 to 24.
2026 infrastructure plan
Ruto’s New Year announcement also aligns with his broader national infrastructure plan for 2026. He confirmed that the government will complete the Talanta Sports Complex, which will be renamed the Raila Odinga International Stadium, and the Bomas International Convention Centre.
Roads remain a key priority, with the government set to accelerate tarmacking of 6,000 kilometres, including the Rironi-Mau Summit road.
The president also announced the start of several new highway projects to improve connectivity and trade, and the construction of the Naivasha-Narok-Bomet-Nyamira-Kisumu-Malaba standard gauge railway to link Kenya with the region.
Water and irrigation projects, such as the Galana-Kulalu dam, will expand irrigation to 2.5 million acres of farmland. In addition, a modern airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will enhance trade, tourism, and economic activity.
Ruto said funding will come from the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which aim to mobilise domestic resources, attract private investment, and reduce borrowing. Proceeds from privatisation will be ring-fenced for public infrastructure, while the Sovereign Wealth Fund will secure savings for future generations.