President Ruto gives timeline for upgrading of two dilapidated stadiums

President William Ruto has issued a two-month ultimatum for the commencement of upgrading works at the dilapidated Nyahururu and Nanyuki Stadiums in Laikipia County.

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Speaking in Nanyuki during the burial of Mzee Weston Kirocho, the father of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the Head of State directed that construction works at the two facilities begin in January 2026.

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In his address, President Ruto instructed Defence Principal Secretary Dr Patrick Mariru to oversee the implementation of the projects.

Dr Mariru, a former Laikipia West MP and County Assembly Speaker, is currently supervising the construction of the Talanta Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility valued at Ksh44.7 billion, slated for completion later this year.

The Talanta Stadium is expected to play a central role during Kenya’s hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

"You’ve told me about the stadiums here in Nanyuki and Nyahururu. Kindly give me two months. In January, I will send PS Mariru to begin construction because Laikipia has produced many great athletes,” President Ruto said.

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“The Nyeri Stadium, which had stalled, is now progressing well and will be completed soon,” he added.

The President’s directive came in response to a passionate appeal from Laikipia County Woman Representative Jane Kagiri, who called on the government to prioritise the development of the two sporting facilities.

"Your Excellency, you and I are ardent fans of Arsenal FC, who currently top the Premier League. Kindly remember the Nyahururu and Nanyuki stadiums so that we can also produce a William Saliba-calibre player from Laikipia,” Kagiri urged.

The planned upgrading of the two facilities will mark another milestone in President Ruto’s ongoing infrastructure agenda for sports development across the country.

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His administration has recently delivered several modern stadium projects, including the 10,000-capacity Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui, which hosted the 62nd Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday, 20 October, and the ongoing construction of the 10,000-seater Migori Stadium.

The upgraded 10,000-capacity Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay hosted the 2024 Madaraka Day celebrations.

Notably, too, are the renovation works at Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, which served as matchday venues during the African Nations Championship (CHAN), as well as Kasarani Annex, Ulinzi Complex, and Police Sacco Stadium, all of which served as training venues during the continental showpiece held in August.