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Editorial illustration of officials inspecting a major stadium project under construction in Nairobi.

Talanta Stadium Reaches About 94% Completion Ahead of AFCON 2027

Kelvin Kibet

Talanta Stadium was reported as 94% complete during a Senate inspection on October 1, 2026, but the figure did not mean the venue was ready to host an international match. The inspection identified outstanding accessibility, training-ground and transport issues, as well as systems that still needed testing before AFCON 2027 use.

What was complete at the inspection

Project officials said the 60,000-seat Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium had installed spectator seating and substantially completed its outer façade. The hybrid playing surface had been stitched, drainage was complete, and the 30-metre evacuation boulevard was largely built. Internal finishing remained under way in 52 skyboxes.

The project is managed by the Ministry of Defence through the Kenya Defence Forces, with the Ministry of Sports and other government agencies providing technical support, according to the parliamentary inspection report.

Accessibility remained a concern

Senators reported that ramps served the first floor and lifts reached the fourth floor, but designated spectator seating for people with disabilities was not available during the visit. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection had not completed an accessibility and occupational-safety assessment because its officers had not been given access to the site.

That distinction matters: physical construction progress does not confirm that the venue has passed every inspection or can safely serve all spectators.

Training grounds and transport links

The inspection found that two additional training pitches were between 38% and 40% complete, with final surfaces still pending. One newer training ground had a roof and 1,500 seats, while finishing work continued in four changing rooms.

Officials also said discussions were continuing with Kenya Railways and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority on possible commuter-rail access, improvements to Jamhuri Road and a link to the Southern Bypass. Senators asked for clearer arrangements for traffic circulation, drop-off and pick-up. These were plans under discussion at the inspection, not completed transport links.

What the December target means

The project team told the committee it aimed to meet outstanding Confederation of African Football requirements and reach full readiness by December 2026. Officials expected a further inspection that month and said specialist systems would then require two to three months of testing before competition use. This was a project timetable reported on October 1, not confirmation that the work or approvals had since been completed.

For a brief account of the 94% figure and the inspection, see our Talanta Stadium news update.

Parliament has also questioned the project cost

In May 2026, a separate Senate committee scrutinised the reported KSh45.8 billion project cost and procurement process. The government said there had been no contract variation and attributed the increase from the initial KSh34.6 billion estimate to taxes, levies and import-related charges. Senators asked for documentation explaining the figures and direct procurement.

Sources

Progress and deadlines in this report are attributed to officials during the October 1 inspection. A completion percentage is not the same as CAF certification or operational readiness.

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Kelvin Kibet

Kelvin Kibet is a journalist and multimedia professional with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital media, content production, and newsroom operations.As Editor-in-Chief of Daily Report KE, Kelvin provides editorial leadership and oversees the quality, accuracy, and integrity of the platform's published content. He works with the editorial team to ensure that stories are properly reviewed, fact-checked, contextualized, and presented in accordance with professional journalistic standards.His responsibilities include supervising reporting processes, coordinating newsroom operations, reviewing stories before publication, strengthening editorial procedures, and maintaining standards of accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism.Kelvin has experience in news reporting, digital journalism, multimedia storytelling, video production, community journalism, and editorial management. He is committed to producing informative, accurate, and public-interest content for Daily Report KE's readers.Areas of Expertise News Reporting Digital Journalism Multimedia Storytelling Investigative Reporting Community Journalism Editorial Management Video Production Content Production Key Responsibilities Editorial leadership and oversight Story review and publishing standards Fact-checking and verification Newsroom coordination Editorial planning and content development Newsroom ethics and quality control Maintaining accuracy and responsible journalism