President William Ruto hosted the iconic English Premier League (EPL) trophy at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, October 24, 2025, using the occasion to reaffirm his government's commitment to investing in modern sports infrastructure. The visit, part of the 2025/2026 Premier League World Tour organised with Guinness Kenya, brought the glamour of global football to Kenya, a nation with a passionate fanbase and long-held ambitions of sporting excellence.

“Football runs deep in our national story. Kenya has some of the most passionate football fans anywhere in the world,” President Ruto stated during the event. “We are committed to investing in sports infrastructure that nurtures talent, builds our global heritage, and strengthens our sense of nationhood.” This pledge comes as Kenya, alongside co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania, accelerates preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament that hinges on the delivery of world-class facilities.

Infrastructure Promises vs. Reality

The President's remarks highlight a critical focus of his administration: the ambitious overhaul of the country's sporting venues. Central to this plan is the new 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi, which is currently under construction and slated for completion by the end of 2025. The stadium, designed specifically for football and rugby, is a flagship project for the AFCON 2027 preparations. On the same day as the trophy tour, the President's office released new photos showing progress at the Talanta Stadium construction site, reinforcing the government's messaging on its commitment.

In addition to this new construction, extensive renovations are underway at existing facilities. The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium are both being upgraded to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards required for the tournament. According to a report from April 2025, the government has allocated a total of Sh44.7 billion for this nationwide sports infrastructure upgrade. These projects fall under the government's Talanta Hela initiative, a programme aimed at identifying, nurturing, and monetizing talent in sports and the creative arts. The initiative has already facilitated opportunities for young Kenyan footballers to join international academies.

However, these commitments are set against a backdrop of historical delays and unfulfilled promises regarding stadium development in Kenya. The success of the AFCON 2027 bid is contingent on these projects being completed on schedule, a timeline that is being closely watched by both CAF and the Kenyan public. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been tasked with supervising the works to ensure timely delivery, a move reportedly influenced by their efficient completion of the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

A Nation of Fans

The EPL trophy's arrival underscores the league's immense popularity in Kenya, which ranks among the top African nations for viewership. President Ruto, a self-proclaimed Arsenal fan, engaged in light-hearted banter during the event, joking about the recent struggles of rival club Manchester United while expressing confidence in his own team's resurgence. “We don't just watch Premier League; we live, we breathe and argue about it every weekend as if we own the clubs ourselves,” he remarked, capturing the sentiment of many Kenyans.

The event was attended by government officials and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed. The trophy tour, sponsored by Guinness, will include a two-day public viewing event over the weekend of October 25-26, 2025, in Kiambu County, allowing thousands of fans the opportunity to see the coveted prize up close. This marks the trophy's second visit to Kenya in recent years, following a tour in September 2023.

As the excitement of the EPL tour reverberates through the country, the focus for many will inevitably shift back to the state of local sports. The President's renewed promises have placed the government's infrastructure agenda firmly in the spotlight. The timely and successful completion of the stadiums for AFCON 2027 will be the ultimate measure of whether these commitments translate from celebratory rhetoric into a tangible legacy for Kenyan sports.