Kipchoge Keino Stadium upgrade positions Eldoret for Mashujaa Day, AFCON 2027

The update was provided during an inspection of key sports infrastructure projects by Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru and Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who said the upgraded facility will host this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations before supporting Kenya's preparations for AFCON 2027.

The stadium is being upgraded by the Ministry of Defence, through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and the Uasin Gishu County Government.

Construction has reached 47 per cent completion, with works progressing steadily and practical completion expected by 20 September 2026.

Besides Kipchoge Keino Stadium, the other designated AFCON 2027 training venues are Nyayo National Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Police SACCO Stadium, Kasarani Annex and the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Residents living and working around the stadium say the ongoing works are already creating economic opportunities.

Mary Akinyi, popularly known as Mama Bruno, runs a food business near the construction site, serving construction workers and local residents. She believes the completed stadium will significantly boost her business.

"When Kipchoge Stadium is completed, it will benefit me in a very big way because the people coming here will become my customers. I will be able to serve food to everyone who visits the stadium."

Akinyi says the area has undergone a remarkable transformation since construction began.

"When they came and said they were going to build the stadium, that is when you started seeing the changes that are visible today."

She says she willingly relocated her business to create room for the expansion because she understood the long-term benefits of the project.

"I had no problem moving. If expanding the stadium means it becomes bigger and better, then I was happy to relocate. The more I move, the bigger the stadium becomes."

Akinyi also dismisses claims that construction has stalled, saying work has continued consistently since it began.

"Since construction started, I have never seen the work stop. It has continued throughout. They work every day, even on Sundays. They have never abandoned the site."

Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo says investment in sports infrastructure extends far beyond the construction of stadiums.

"Sport is an economy. Infrastructure is its foundation. Every modern stadium creates opportunities for talent to thrive, jobs to grow and communities to earn from talent."

Kilimo says collaboration between the Ministries of Sports and Defence has accelerated the delivery of sports infrastructure across the country.

"The expertise of the Kenya Defence Forces is helping us build Hi-Tech facilities that will transform talent into livelihoods and position sport as a driver of economic growth in the country."

Once complete, the upgraded Kipchoge Keino Stadium will meet FIFA and CAF standards. The project will increase seating capacity from 9,248 to 15,671 through the conversion of earth terraces into modern concrete grandstands. 

It also includes the rehabilitation and expansion of the VIP stand, installation of a full spectator canopy, construction of a tartan athletics track and upgrading of the football pitch.

Meeting these international standards is critical as the stadium prepares to host this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations and later serve as one of Kenya's official training venues for AFCON 2027. 

Beyond these events, the investment will leave Eldoret with a modern sporting facility capable of nurturing talent, attracting major competitions and supporting the continued growth of sport in the region.