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President William Ruto has become the first Kenyan Head of State since Daniel Arap Moi to deliver a FIFA-standard stadium. The move is a historic event in Kenya’s sports infrastructure development.
During his first visit to Kenya in August 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino toured the under-construction Talanta Hela Stadium in Nairobi and praised the project as a centerpiece for Kenya’s future football development.
The 60,000-capacity facility, situated at Jamhuri Park, is one of three stadiums earmarked to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
According to the Ruto administration, construction of the stadium is 40 percent complete and is expected to be finished by the end of 2025.
Once complete, Talanta Hela Stadium will be the largest football venue in Kenya since the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which was built in the late 1980s.
Also Read: How Talanta Hela Created New Pathways for Kenyan Youth in Sports and Creativity
Inside the Ruto-led FIFA Standard Stadium
In a separate ceremony at the State House in Nairobi, President Ruto handed Infantino the title deeds for land in Machakos, where the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will build a new national technical centre with support from FIFA Forward.
“This center will not only prepare our national teams for international competitions but also inspire the next generation of Kenyan footballers,” Infantino said.
The Ksh593 million (USD 4.6 million) FIFA Forward-funded project will include one natural grass pitch, two artificial turf pitches, and an administration block.
Additionally, it will have conference rooms among other facilities.
The Talanta Hela Stadium is expected to be a key venue for the 2027 AFCON, the first time East Africa will host the continental showpiece in decades.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are jointly preparing to host the tournament, which is expected to bring significant economic and sporting benefits to the region.
At the same time, 5he three countries hosted the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025.
Infantino and Ruto attended the 2024 CHAN final in Nairobi, where Morocco defeated Madagascar 3-2 to claim their third title.
Also Read: Inside Talanta Sports City: Details and Features of Stadium Commissioned by Ruto
The Talanta Hela Funding Model Sparks Debate
The Ksh44.7 billion bond issued by Linzi Finco to fund the construction of the Talanta Hela Stadium stirred political debate, with critics warning it could increase Kenya’s debt burden.
Former National Assembly Budget Chair Ndindi Nyoro warned that the securitization fundraising model could cost taxpayers up to Ksh100 billion by the time the bond matures.
“The maturity of this loan means every child born in the next 15 years could have a loan tag for money they have no idea how it was used,” Nyoro warned.
However, President Ruto defended the model, saying it represents a new approach to financing mega projects outside the traditional budget.
He compared it to the government-to-government fuel supply program and other asset-backed initiatives that have already raised Ksh175 billion.
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