Edwin Sifuna on Why Kenya Needs Talanta Stadium for AFCON 2027, Why Several Stadia Projects Have Stalled

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has explained why Kenya absolutely needs the Talanta Sports City complex despite historical issues regarding incomplete facilities which have hindered the growth of sports countrywide.

Kenya are currently on course to have Talanta Stadium fully built by April 2026, with the arena set to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

However, there are several other facilities across the country that are far from completion, including the Kamariny Stadium in Iten, Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, and another in Makueni county.

The arena is costing approximately $344.5 million to fully complete, thanks in large part to the fact that it is being built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)  model.

Speaking during the Creative Economic Forum between Kenya and USA last June, Sifuna, who also serves as ODM secretary general, explained why the stadium will only boost Kenya’s sporting power.

“it is an expensive project. Whether its financial sustainability is certain or not is another debate. But at least we have a facility. It is a private investment. They didn’t build the access road using taxpayers’ money, at least not officially.

It is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. That’s the only reason it is being built. Otherwise, it would have stalled like many other projects including Kamariny Stadium. 

“The only reason the (Nairobi) expressway was built is because it relied on private money, and the investor recovers their investment through usage. The same principle applies here.”

The Senator also lamented the poor planning that often leaves fans and athletes stranded when stadiums undergo repairs.

Sifuna believes construction sites are the best loopholes for corruption, which prevents stadia from ever being completed and always stalling.

“If you look at those contracts, in no state have people been fully paid. Contractors have received upwards of 70–80% of the contract price, then another contractor comes and is given another set of resources to build. It just becomes a fight,” he noted.

“Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani Stadium are always under repair. At one point, we had to host the Kenya U17 girls when they were qualifying for the 2024 World Cup at Ulinzi Sports Complex. 

“But every three to five minutes, because it is right under the busiest airport in Africa, a plane lands—making it a huge distraction.”

Sifuna added that he had questioned then-CS for Sports Ababu Namwamba on why a proper repair schedule could not be drawn up to ensure that at least one stadium is always available for use.

This he says, will prevent Kenya from ever finding themselves in situations where they have to host games outside of the country, like was witnessed during the opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as well as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

“Repairs at Nyayo could be scheduled so that Kasarani remains open, and vice versa. We were very disappointed as football fans. Imagine Kenya playing iIvory Coast, the Africa champions in Malawi, instead of at home. For the fans, it was a huge letdown.”

The Senator insisted that while questions of sustainability remain, Talanta Sports City represents an opportunity for Kenya to finally overcome its long-standing stadium crisis.