Kenya deliver update on new stadium ahead of 2027 AFCON

With a senior delegation of Confederation of African Football (CAF) already in Uganda for a crucial strategic engagement with the three PAMOJA host nations of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Kenya government has issued latest reports on the readiness of the new stadium.

In a statement issued by Kenya’s Permanent Secretary for International Security Raymond Omollo, the country’s growing readiness and pride in hosting the 20207 edition is taking firm shape through the construction of the Raila Odinga International Stadium, a 60,000-seater world-class facility at Jamhuri Grounds, Nairobi.

The Road AFCON to 2027

📷Progress of works at Talanta Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our neighbors are seriously cooking. Africa must come to East Africa in 2027.#ErichMboowaReports pic.twitter.com/I3VfftvL87

— Erich Mboowa (@erich_mboowa) April 11, 2026

Renamed in December 2025 in honour of the late former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga, the stadium is a flagship venue expected to host both the opening and closing ceremonies of the continental tournament.

New stadium in its final construction phase

The project is in its final construction phase, with the superstructure complete and works focusing on seat installation, broadcast systems, lighting and final electrical and ICT fittings.

Internal finishes are nearing completion, with installed public address systems, screens and floodlights bringing the arena closer to operational readiness.

The facility also incorporates an irrigation pump room, fire and domestic water storage systems and a roof-harvested rainwater management system; engineered to collect, treat and recycle water for pitch irrigation.

Its exterior façade draws from Kenya’s national emblem, while a computerized hydraulic tension cable system supports the roof structure, placing it among a select group of globally advanced stadiums.

Complementary amenities include retail spaces, modern changing rooms and VAR-enabled officiating suites.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has been instrumental in synchronising multi-agency operations around the project, overseeing compliance with national event security standards, coordinating crowd management frameworks and aligning local administrative units to support the stadium’s certification as a secure, tournament-ready venue.

Uganda meeting to mark important step

The two-day meetings in Kampala, will see CAF and the three host nations – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – give update on delivery priorities for the next phase of preparations for the Competition.

The meeting will bring together representatives of the Governments of the three host nations, the Presidents of the three Member Associations, Acting CAF General Secretary Samson Adamu and CAF senior administration from various functional areas including Competitions, Commercial, Broadcasting, Safety and Security, Finance and other roles.

The meeting will mark an important step in the coordinated planning process and will focus on key functional areas critical to the successful delivery of the Competition, including safety and security, infrastructure, procurement, finance, media, ticketing and commercial operations.