Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured the public that Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums will be ready for use by the end of this year. These two major facilities have been closed for renovations to prepare for Kenya’s bid to co-host the 2027 African Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda.

The closure of Nyayo and Kasarani has caused significant disruption for Kenyan athletes, who have had to seek alternative training grounds. This has affected their preparations for key international events, including the national football team, Harambee Stars, which has been forced to play its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier home matches abroad.

Murkomen expressed confidence that the renovations will be completed on time, ensuring that athletes have access to top-notch facilities as they prepare for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

“We are working hard to have Kasarani and Nyayo ready before the end of the year, and in a much better condition than before. Our athletes will have suitable training grounds for next year’s competitions,” Murkomen said during a site visit at the Talanta Sports City project at Jamhuri Sports Grounds.

The Talanta Sports City project, a new stadium being built to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations, is also progressing well. Murkomen, accompanied by Defence CS Soipan Tuya, inspected the construction and confirmed that the project is on track to be completed by January 2026.

“This is a key project for the government of Kenya, and we are committed to completing it on schedule. The Ministry of Sports is working closely with the Ministry of Defence, which is managing the project, to ensure everything goes according to plan,” Murkomen said.

Murkomen also acknowledged the efforts of former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, who initiated the Talanta Sports City project. He expressed his gratitude for Namwamba’s work, pledging to keep the project on track.

Beyond these major projects, Murkomen discussed plans to enhance training facilities for other sports like basketball, swimming, and volleyball. He urged sports federations to partner with international schools and colleges that have decent facilities, as the government works to fill existing gaps.

“As we work on improving facilities, I encourage sports federations to collaborate with institutions that already have good training grounds. This will ensure that athletes in various disciplines have the necessary resources to excel,” Murkomen said.

He also promised to address the issues affecting sports federations in Kenya, emphasizing the need for better management and operations.

“I am still settling in, but I will soon call a meeting with all stakeholders to discuss and find solutions to the issues affecting Kenyan sports,” he added.

Defence CS Soipan Tuya highlighted the importance of the Kenya Defence Forces’ involvement in managing the Talanta Sports City project, emphasizing that their contribution will help ensure the success of the 2027 African Cup of Nations.

Over 900 workers are currently employed at the Talanta Sports City site, with construction ongoing day and night to meet the January 2026 deadline.