Government issues update on Talanta Stadium weeks to CAF President visit (PHOTOS)

The Government has provided a comprehensive progress update on the construction of the Talanta Stadium, ahead of an anticipated inspection visit by Confederation of African Football president (CAF) Patrice Motsepe.

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The CAF boss is expected in the country next month.

In a detailed statement published on Facebook, Permanent Secretary in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo outlined the current status of the 60,000-seater facility at Jamhuri Grounds.

Omollo revealed that the project has entered its final construction phase, with the superstructure already complete.

Ongoing works are now concentrated on seat installation, broadcast systems, lighting, and the final electrical and ICT fittings, critical components in aligning the stadium with global standards required for hosting elite football tournaments.

He further noted that internal finishing works are rapidly nearing completion.

Key installations, including public address systems, giant screens and floodlights, are already in place, pushing the facility closer to full operational readiness.

The update also highlights the stadium’s integration of advanced engineering and sustainability features.

Among them are an irrigation pump room, fire and domestic water storage systems, and a roof-harvested rainwater management system designed to collect, treat and recycle water for pitch irrigation.

Architecturally, the exterior façade draws inspiration from Kenya’s national emblem, symbolizing national identity, while a computerized hydraulic tension cable system supports the roof structure, placing the stadium among a select class of technologically sophisticated sporting arenas globally.

Complementary infrastructure within the complex includes: retail spaces, modern changing rooms and Video Assistant Referee (VAR)-enabled officiating suites, further reinforcing its status as a world-class venue.

In the statement, Omollo emphasized the government’s broader coordination efforts, noting that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has played a central role in synchronizing multi-agency operations around the project.

This includes overseeing compliance with national event security standards, coordinating crowd management frameworks, and aligning local administrative units to ensure the stadium attains certification as a secure, tournament-ready venue.

The stadium is expected to serve as a flagship venue during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

It has been tentatively earmarked to host both the opening and closing ceremonies of the continental showpiece, as disclosed by Omollo.

“Kenya’s growing readiness and pride in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) is taking firm shape through the construction of the Raila Odinga International Stadium, a 60,000-seater world-class facility at Jamhuri Grounds, Nairobi,” the statement read in part.

Valued at Ksh 44.7 billion and currently estimated to be 80 percent complete, the stadium is on track for completion by mid-2026.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 19 June and conclude on 18 July 2027