President William Ruto has promised that Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret will be completed with a full canopy in the coming months as Kenya prepares the facility for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The President made the pledge during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at the stadium on Tuesday, October 20, as Kenya intensifies preparations to co-host the continental football tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“I commit that this very stadium will be completed with a full canopy in the coming months,” the President stated.
Ruto explained that the stadium upgrade forms part of the government's broader strategy to position Kenya as a destination for international sporting competitions instead of solely exporting athletes to compete in other countries.
Kipchoge Keino Stadium is among the facilities identified for AFCON 2027 preparations, although its suitability for the tournament will depend on meeting the required standards and passing the necessary assessments.
With construction works still visibly incomplete during the national celebrations, the President's pledge to install a full canopy signals additional work ahead as the government seeks to prepare the venue for upcoming sporting events.
In August, a technical team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) visited the stadium to assess its potential as an alternative match venue for AFCON 2027. The delegation also evaluated possible training facilities, accommodation, medical services and other essential infrastructure in Eldoret.
The commitment comes as the government oversees the construction and renovation of 33 stadiums at various stages of development, with several projects encountering delays and financial constraints.
During a Senate committee meeting on October 6, officials disclosed that renovation works at Nyayo Stadium had stalled after a contractor suspended operations over an outstanding payment of Ksh984 million.
The contractor had received only Ksh200 million out of the Ksh1.184 billion contract sum, leaving critical works unfinished ahead of the stadium's anticipated use as a training venue for AFCON 2027.
Beyond the Eldoret facility, Ruto said Kipchoge Stadium in Kapsabet, Nandi County, and Kamariny Stadium in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, which he recently inspected, were also expected to be completed in the coming months.
According to the President, the projects are intended to develop sporting talent and expand opportunities for athletes across the country.
He also pointed to the ongoing construction of Raila Odinga International Stadium and renovation works at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as part of Kenya's preparations to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi.
The championships will make Nairobi the first African city to host the global athletics competition, marking another milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen its sporting infrastructure and attract major international events.
