President William Ruto announced on Monday, October 20, 2025, that his government will construct additional sports stadiums in Machakos and Makueni counties. Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at the newly completed Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, President Ruto instructed Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya to expedite these projects.

“Kenya is known as a sports hub; for that, we need more stadiums in this region. I direct CS Mvurya to ensure that we have stadiums in Machakos and Makueni,” President Ruto stated.

Context of Sports Infrastructure Development

This directive aligns with the government's broader commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure across the 47 counties, a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The administration aims to provide standard playing fields in various sporting disciplines to support talent development.

The announcement comes shortly after Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, handed over the Ithookwe Stadium to the National Celebrations Steering Committee on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The Ithookwe Stadium, a KSh 750 million facility, was 80 percent complete as of September 11, 2025, and was set to host the Mashujaa Day celebrations. Mvurya emphasized that inadequate sports facilities have hindered Kenya's sports development, and such initiatives are crucial for Kenyans to access quality sporting opportunities.

Previous and Ongoing Stadium Projects

Kenya has seen significant investment in sports infrastructure, with 37 sports academies under construction and several stadia being built or upgraded. Notable completed stadia include Wang'uru Stadium in Kirinyaga, Kericho Green Stadium, Kisumu Mambo Leo Stadium, Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, Moi Stadium in Embu, Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma, and Kwale Stadium.

The government is also preparing to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania, necessitating substantial investments in new and renovated venues. The new Talanta Sports City Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, is expected to be completed by February 2026.

Challenges and Progress in Makueni

The Wote Stadium project in Makueni County, commissioned in 2017, has faced significant delays. Initially projected for completion within six months, the stadium's progress has been hampered by a change in the original construction site by the Makueni County Government, leading to topographical challenges. Financial constraints also contributed to the delays, with no funding allocated in the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 financial years.

As of July 23, 2025, CS Mvurya reported that Wote Stadium's construction was 70 percent complete. The Ministry has prioritized the project, including it in its 2025/2026 development plans, with a revised completion date set for December 2025. Pending works include the athletics track, changing rooms, a public ablution block, perimeter wall, gates, a borehole, and an irrigation system. The Ministry is collaborating with the Makueni County Government to accelerate its completion.

Machakos Stadium Development

Machakos County has an existing stadium, Kenyatta Stadium, which underwent renovations in 2013 to host regional tournaments. More recently, Governor Wavinya Ndeti announced plans for a new Machakos Sports Complex Aquatic Centre, which will include an Olympic-size swimming pool, a modern indoor sports arena, and a multipurpose stadium. Phase one of this project, involving the swimming pool, is already underway.

Additionally, Gor Mahia Football Club is planning to construct a modern stadium and sports complex on a 48-acre piece of land in Lukenya, Machakos County. The proposed facility would include a 60,000-seat stadium, training pitches, accommodation, and a four-star hotel.

What to Watch

The focus will now be on the timely allocation of resources and commencement of the new stadium projects in Machakos and Makueni. The progress of the Wote Stadium in Makueni, with its revised December 2025 completion target, will also be closely monitored. These developments are crucial as Kenya prepares to host major continental tournaments, underscoring the need for world-class sports infrastructure to nurture local talent and attract international events.