The government has revealed that one of the national holidays this year will be hosted at the Talanta Sports City Stadium, which is still under construction.
The announcement comes just months before the earmarked completion of the flagship project ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Currently taking shape at Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road, the ultramodern 60,000-seater stadium is the first purpose-built international-standard facility Kenya has undertaken in over four decades.
Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Office of the President Dennis Itumbi on Friday, September 12, confirmed that this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, scheduled for December 12, 2025, will officially be held at Talanta Sports City.
Itumbi announced that a planning meeting with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. The celebrations will be held under the theme “Tourism, Wildlife, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).”
“Talanta Stadium will host the country on 12th December 2025. We held our first planning meeting with Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, where we agreed on forming an initial team to develop a comprehensive concept,” said Itumbi. “Once finalized, detailed planning for the celebrations will begin.”
Meanwhile, this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, set for October 10, will take place at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County. The venue — a 10,000-seater stadium currently under construction at an estimated cost of Ksh 700 million — is now in its final stages of completion.
In preparation for the national event, the government is also undertaking upgrades to the Kitui Airstrip and improving access roads in the surrounding area.
The announcement by Itumbi now places new urgency on the Talanta Sports City stadium’s completion, whose construction was expected to wrap up between December 2025 and March 2026.
Set to be the first purpose-built international stadium since Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (1987), the project is designed to rival the world’s best in terms of technology, functionality, and sustainability.
Talanta Sports City Stadium
With a 60,000-seating capacity, the stadium will be custom-built for football, but also adaptable for rugby and elite concerts, making it a truly multipurpose arena. It is being engineered to support world-class live television broadcast infrastructure, fully compliant with FIFA and CAF regulations.
Incorporating cutting-edge technology, Talanta Sports City will feature Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and goal-line technology, ensuring the highest standards in officiating and gameplay. The stadium will also have integrated digital systems to enhance the fan experience, security, and event management.
Also Read: Inside Talanta Sports City: Details and Features of Stadium Commisioned by Ruto
To support large crowds, the stadium will offer a combination of underground and surface parking, accommodating up to 3,000 vehicles, which will help ease access and reduce traffic congestion during major events.
In addition, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, with plans to incorporate botanical gardens and green spaces, blending modern urban infrastructure with a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor, with a reputation for delivering high-end infrastructure projects across Africa and Asia.
How the project is being funded
To accelerate the delivery of the Talanta Sports City, the government turned to an innovative financing model — the Infrastructure Asset-Backed Security (IABS) — a first of its kind in Kenya.
On July 23, 2025, the Linzi FinCo 003 Trust, a special-purpose vehicle (SPV), successfully listed the Linzi 003 IABS on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The offering raised Ksh44.791 billion, directly earmarked for the development of the stadium and surrounding infrastructure.
The financial structure allows private investors to fund a public infrastructure project in exchange for returns, with the bond backed by future cash flows or underlying project assets.
Also Read: EXPLAINED: How Govt Raised Over Ksh44 B to Fund Talanta Sports City Project
The notes are rated AA (KE)(IR) by GCR Moody’s, reflecting strong creditworthiness, and have a 15-year tenor maturing in 2040, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 15.04% per annum.
The offer closed on June 30, 2025, with a subscription rate of 100.1889%, meaning investor interest slightly exceeded the targeted amount. All valid bids were accepted on a pro rata basis, indicating balanced distribution and strong confidence in the government’s ability to deliver and repay.
President Ruto hailed the IABS listing as a “compelling example of how financial markets can accelerate national transformation”, commending the NSE, Linzi FinCo Trust, and their structuring partners, including LIAISON Group, for creating a model that bridges public sector goals with private sector resources.
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