Kipchoge Stadium Hits 56.2 Percent as Defence PS Tours Rift Valley Sites

Principal Secretary for Defence Dr Patrick Mariru on Wednesday inspected renovation works at Kipchoge Stadium in Uasin Gishu County. The project stands at 56.2 per cent complete. Substantial completion is expected by the end of next month.

Defence is supervising the works. Uasin Gishu County forms part of the facilities supporting this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations. Those events will be co-hosted by Elgeyo-Marakwet and Nandi counties. Timely completion of the stadium will be critical in ensuring the required facilities are ready.

Beyond the national celebrations, Kipchoge Stadium has been earmarked as one of the official training venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya is preparing to co-host the continental tournament. Mariru said the focus remains on delivering development projects on time and to the required standards.

Earlier the same day, the Principal Secretary visited Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho County. The facility is planned as a 10,000-seater venue. Excavation work is ongoing. Delivery is targeted by the end of this year as directed by President William Ruto.

The works at Kapkatet had stalled for a long time. Officials are reclaiming and transforming the site into a modern sports and recreational centre. It is intended to provide opportunities for sports, talent development and recreation for residents of Kericho County.

Brigadier Titus Sokobe of Defence, Acting Deputy County Commissioner Monica Muli and members of the county security team were present during the Kapkatet inspection.

Mariru also stopped at the proposed Kiprugut Kericho Stadium. Demolition of the existing steel structures has been completed. Setting out has been undertaken in readiness for excavation works scheduled to begin the following day.

The Ministry of Defence is supervising this project among other national ones. The target is to deliver the stadium by December this year. Brigadier Sokobe, Deputy County Commissioner for Kericho East Antony Cheruiyot and other officials attended the site visit.

Across the three stops, the Principal Secretary stressed acceleration of implementation. The Ministry of Defence continues to oversee the works. Progress at Kipchoge Stadium remains the most advanced of the three sites inspected.

Officials on the ground are pressing to meet the stated timelines. The projects form part of wider efforts to upgrade sports facilities in the Rift Valley. Mariru described the day’s engagements as focused on ensuring standards are met under the current administration’s development agenda.

Construction activity was visible at the sites. At Kipchoge Stadium, workers in high-visibility vests were active on the concrete terraces and surrounding areas. At Kapkatet, teams assessed the open ground where excavation continues. Similar preparatory activity marked the Kiprugut site after the clearance of steel structures.

The inspections form part of a series of project visits by the Principal Secretary. Defence supervision covers multiple stadiums nationwide. Local administrators and security teams joined the reviews in both Uasin Gishu and Kericho counties.

Further updates on progress are expected as the September and December targets approach. The Ministry has indicated that the works must stay on schedule to support both the national holiday and the longer-term AFCON preparations.