Kenya Breaks Ground on Building Modern Stadium for 2027 AFCON on Jamhuri Grounds, How it Will Look Like

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 1-  In preparations to host the 2027 AFCON, Kenya made headway by commencing the construction of a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 60,000 in Nairobi.

This development comes alongside the ongoing refurbishment of the Kasarani Stadium, which is slated for completion by December before activities shift to the Nyayo National Stadium.

President William Ruto oversaw the groundbreaking ceremony of the Talanta Sports City at Jamhuri along Ngong Road.

The project, expected to be finished in less than two years, features a bespoke design focused solely on football but adaptable for rugby and high-profile concerts.

It marks the first new stadium built in the country in decades, following the Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums.

Speaking at the launch, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba described the project as uniquely Kenyan in design, aiming to showcase the nation’s culture.

“We have dedicated six months to conceive and craft what will become a landmark structure,” he said. “It is a compact facility designed to create an intense, passionate atmosphere, giving Kenyan teams a crucial home advantage.”

Namwamba emphasized that the stadium meets all FIFA and CAF standards regarding size, fan circulation, VIP areas, and other requirements.

The facility will include seven changing rooms and boast advanced technology for live TV broadcasts, VAR, and goal-line technology, aligning it with top international stadiums.

In line with environmental considerations, the project incorporates renewable energy sources and integrates botanical gardens and green spaces.

Looking beyond AFCON, Namwamba suggested plans to leverage the stadium as an economic asset through naming rights and professional management.

He positioned the stadium as a legacy project, fulfilling key objectives outlined in the Kenya Kwanza plan related to elite sports infrastructure and leveraging sports for economic growth and youth opportunities.

While specific costs were not disclosed, Namwamba asserted that the project’s per-unit cost is comparably lower than other stadiums across the continent.

President Ruto instructed Defence CS Aden Duale and Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla to ensure weekly supervision of the stadium’s construction.

Addressing the gathering, Ruto emphasized the importance of meeting agreed timelines and maintaining world-class standards with military discipline.

He pledged his personal oversight every three months until the project’s completion, underscoring his commitment to ensuring its success.