PS Mwangi: Raila Odinga International Stadium 80-percent complete, to be ready in March

The government on Friday announced that the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium, is over 80 percent complete, marking another major milestone towards delivering Kenya’s biggest sports infrastructural project since independence.

Speaking after a high-level joint inspection of the facility and other key amenities within the massive sports complex, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Sports Elijah Mwangi termed the remarkable construction progress of this ultra-modern stadium as adequate guarantee by the government on timely completion of the project within the set timelines.

Other Principal Secretaries present in the joint inspection tour include Patrick Mariru (Defence), Dr. Raymond Omollo (Interior) and Stephen Isaboke (Broadcast and Telecommunications).

State Department for Roads, Water, Transport, Energy and senior KDF officials were also represented by senior officials.

“This is proof that we are on course to deliver this project. The government is assuring Kenyans that AFCON will be held and we have the facilities to execute that tournament,” said PS Mwangi.

He also disclosed that the country was expecting top delegations and inspections team from Confederation of African Football (CAF) to start visiting the country to assess the status of Kenya’s infrastructure ahead of the AFCON tournament.

The PS noted that successful execution of a tournament of the magnitude of AFCON required a Whole-Of-Government-Approach through constituting multi-agency teams to streamline and coordinate various inter-related activities that will contribute towards the success of the tournament.

He cited security, transport, roads, water, energy and ICT among several others that will play a critical role in enhancing Kenya’s readiness to host the tournament.

The inspection entailed walking around the main stadium to check on the interior works as well as   examining the externals works to evaluate the progress of the two main outdoor pitches.

PS Patrick Mariru (Defence) said the project was well on course with most critical functions already done. He said the 80 percent was the most critical works of setting up the superstructures to support the façade and the terraces where the seats will be installed.

“The bulk of the work is done. That is the over 80 percent. The remain constitutes of works that can be done within a very short period,” he said.

He cited the installation of seats, the putting up of giant screens and setting the lighting and sound systems as some of the works that were also ongoing.

Hailing the project progress, the Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo said the inter-agency approach in delivering a world-class stadium was part of the government’s practical approach for enhancing effectively and maximizing results.

The Raila Odinga International Stadium, formerly Talanta Stadium, is Kenya’s main venue for hosting Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.

Designed for football and rugby, this premier facility will feature a modern canopy, a presidential pavilion and 52 luxury skyboxes.