Talanta Stadium 68% complete - Defece PS Mariru says

Speaking during an inspection tour alongside Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, Mariru emphasised that the project managed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will be completed within the March 2026 deadline.

“The President has asked the Ministry of Defence to supervise these projects. I can assure you they will be delivered on time, on standard, and on budget,” he affirmed.

PS Mwangi, who commended the project’s progress—now at 68 percent—described the stadium as a generational investment.

“To us, it is a great gift the President has given to the people of this country, not only for this generation but for generations to come,” he said.

He added that the government is currently overseeing more than 57 stadium projects nationwide in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Sports Kenya.

“This means more opportunities for youth and footballers to have proper spaces to train and play,” Mwangi noted.

Dr Mariru highlighted that the Talanta Stadium project reflects a whole-of-government approach.

“It is not just KDF or the Ministry of Defence working in isolation. It is a powerful demonstration of how government can work together to deliver impactful projects. It is a point of pride,” he said.

President William Ruto presided over the groundbreaking for the stadium in March 2024. The project is part of a broader national effort to upgrade and construct sports facilities across the country, a programme the Defence PS says will not only transform the sports landscape but also showcase Kenya’s capability to deliver large-scale infrastructure.

According to Major Victor King’e, the Talanta Sports City Project Architect, the stadium blends cutting-edge technology with artistic design.

“The roof canopy uses hydraulically tensioned steel cables, a lightweight system that is the first of its kind in the region. Even the overall form of the stadium is unique; it’s a fusion of art and engineering,” he explained.

Talanta Stadium will also be the first in Kenya built without an athletics track, making it a football-specific arena. The wider sports city will feature three training pitches, one with a running track, a rugby pitch, and an additional mini-stadium with a 1,500-seat grandstand.