Ruto pumps in Ksh1.4B to upgrade Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega
By Joel Masibo, January 2, 2026President William Ruto has announced that the national government will proceed with the construction works at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County to attain a 25,000 sitting capacity ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations showpiece.
Speaking while attending the FCPA Fernandes Barasa Governor’s Cup at Bukhungu Stadium on Thursday, January 1, 2026, Ruto said his administration will improve nationwide sports infrastructure to tap into the talent and potential of the youth.
More stadiums
”We are building 21 modern stadia across the country to nurture the sporting talents of our young people. As part of this commitment, the Talanta Sports City Stadium will be completed later this year, delivering world-class sports infrastructure,” William Ruto said.
As one of the venues to be considered for major competitions in future, President Ruto said January 1, 2026, was the last day spectators will endure harsh weather conditions at Bukhungu Stadium, committing to take over duties from the Kakamega County Government, installing a canopy on the sporting facility and complete the remaining work at a tune of Ksh1.4 billion by the end of the year.
”To advance sports in the county, we have committed Ksh1.4 billion to complete Bukhungu Stadium. It will be a 25,000-seat facility, the largest in Western Kenya, and a strong base for sporting excellence. 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 asserted.
Making Bukhungu the largest
He went ahead to add that after completion, Bukhungu Stadium will be the largest stadium in the entire Western region.
”We all know that the best footballers in the country come from this region. We want to take over the remaining construction work from the county government and complete the remaining work to make this stadium the largest in the whole of the Western region,” Ruto added.
The Head of State also announced that the iconic Talanta Stadium in Nairobi will be completed in January 2026 before being renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium. Ruto said the venue will start functioning immediately before hosting the 2027 AFCON matches.
Kenya won the bid to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, making sports infrastructure a key area of improvement ahead of the competition.