Talented workforce driving construction of Talanta Stadium from the ground up

At the heart of Nairobi’s rising Talanta Sports City is a dedicated workforce operating in well-coordinated shifts, taking structured breaks before returning to build what is fast becoming one of Kenya’s most iconic sporting complexes, one that carries all the hallmarks of world-class infrastructure.

The stadium’s scale, design, and precision reflect a country eager to step confidently into the ranks of developed nations, meeting sporting standards worthy of the world’s most advanced arenas.

During lunch hour, the sound of machinery fades as workers take a quick bite and, surprisingly, head to the adjacent training fields, grounds rich with nostalgia. It was here, during the groundbreaking, that the President kicked a ball from an old, dilapidated football pitch, a symbolic act that set in motion the transformation of a national dream.

Among the workers helping bring the stadium to life is Abubakar Aluanda, known on site as Salimu Amri.

“We are here to build Talanta from the ground up,” he said, removing his helmet and placing it on the ground before putting on his football jersey. “There are masons, mechanics, operators, engineers, we are a mix of many professions and people. It is professional talent and sports fused into one.”

He gestured toward the training fields beside the main stadium, where workers gather each afternoon.

“Many people here have real talent,” he added. “So most lunchtimes, we come together and have some fun.”

A heavy equipment operator by profession and captain of Wabaya, the spirited lunchtime Talanta Stadium football team, he is one of the many workers who momentarily trade construction gear for football boots during breaks. For Aluanda, the midday match is the highlight of the day, a reminder of the joy and pride woven into the hard work unfolding across Talanta Sports City.

Construction workers on site at the Talanta Stadium mega project.

He commutes each morning from Utawala to Ngong Road to earn a living, but it is during the lunch hour that his true passion comes alive. Speaking on the pitch beside the rising Talanta Stadium, a smaller training field set to be upgraded with a 1,500-seat grandstand, Abubakar shared his hope of one day playing on the very turf he is helping construct. It is a pitch with its own moment in history.

During the groundbreaking on 1 March 2024, President William Ruto briefly joined Kenyans for a light game of football before challenging them to a round of press-ups, an encounter that has since become part of the site’s shared memory.

For Aluanda, that history makes the dream even more personal. “I really wish that on the day this stadium is officially opened, we, the workers, we, the talented people here, will be given a chance to play the opening match inside,” he said, glancing toward the 68% complete structure towering behind him.

Defence Principal Secretary Dr Patrick Mariru, whose Ministry, through Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), oversees the project following a directive by the President, said during an inspection that Talanta Stadium will meet international standards.

“We did benchmarking and did the standard that we see in Europe and in the First World. So when the President is talking about First World, it is not just rhetoric, it is reality. The first point is here,” he said.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who accompanied Dr Mariru on site, emphasised that Talanta Stadium is not just about infrastructure, but also about identifying and nurturing talent.

“We are happy with the progress and the work. And for us in the State Department for Sports, our responsibility is the talent identification and nurturing, and development of those talents. To us, it is a  great gift given to the people of this country, not only in this generation, but generations to come.”

Defence PS Patrick Mariru and Sports PS Elijah Mwangi during an inspection tour of the Talanta Stadium, which is 68 per cent complete.

On his part, Major Victor King’e, the Ministry of Defence project architect, highlighted the significant local impact the construction has had on jobs and income opportunities for Kenyans. Describing the scale of the workforce and the evolving nature of the project, Major King’e explained that the number of workers shifts as construction moves into more specialised phases.

“When the project started, we had the largest workforce, around 3,700 workers. But as the work becomes more specialised, the numbers reduce. At the moment, we are averaging between 1,000 and 1,500 workers daily.” He added that many of these workers have not only earned a steady income but have also gained new skills in the process. “Some come in as labourers and are trained in carpentry, masonry, welding, and various other specialties.”

Major King’e also noted that the site operates 24 hours a day, creating employment opportunities around the clock for the local community.  “For example, some of the welding activities on the façade continue well into the night. So that also provides round-the-clock employment for the people here.”

The Talanta Stadium project, which began on 1 March 2024, is now 21 months into construction and 68 percent complete.