The government has announced that the 60,000-seater under-construction Raila Odinga International Stadium is over 80 per cent complete, marking another major milestone towards delivering Kenya’s biggest sports infrastructural project since independence.

Speaking after a high-level joint inspection of the facility and other key amenities within the massive sports complex on Friday, January 23, 2026, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, termed the remarkable construction progress of this ultra-modern stadium as an adequate guarantee by the government of the timely completion of the project within the set timelines.

Other Principal Secretaries present in the joint inspection tour include Patrick Mariru (Defence), Dr Raymond Omollo (Interior) and Stephen Isaboke (Broadcast and Telecommunications).  The State Department for Roads, Water, Transport, Energy and senior KDF officials were also represented by senior officials.

On course to deliver

“This is proof that we are on course to deliver this project. The government is assuring Kenyans that AFCON will be held and we have the facilities to execute that tournament,” said PS Mwangi.

He also disclosed that the country was expecting top delegations and an inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to start visiting the country to assess the status of Kenya’s infrastructure ahead of the AFCON tournament.

The PS noted that the successful execution of a tournament of the magnitude of AFCON required a whole-of-government approach through constituting multi-agency teams to streamline and coordinate various interrelated activities that will contribute towards the success of the tournament.

He cited security, transport, roads, water, energy and ICT among several others that will play a critical role in enhancing Kenya’s readiness to host the tournament.

The inspection entailed walking around the main stadium to check on the interior works as well as examining the external works to evaluate the progress of the two main outdoor pitches.

PS Patrick Mariru (Defence) said the project was well on course with most critical functions already done. He said the 80 per cent was the most critical work of setting up the superstructures to support the façade and the terraces where the seats will be installed.

Bulk of work done!

“The bulk of the work is done. That is over 80 per cent. The remainder consists of works that can be done within a very short period,” he said. 

He cited the installation of seats, the putting up of giant screens and setting the lighting and sound systems as some of the works that were also ongoing.

Hailing the project progress, the Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo said the inter-agency approach in delivering a world-class stadium was part of the government’s practical approach for enhancing effectiveness and maximising results.

The Raila Odinga International Stadium, formerly Talanta Stadium, is Kenya’s main venue for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.  Designed for football and rugby, this premier facility will feature a modern canopy, a presidential pavilion and 52 luxury skyboxes.