The Government of Kenya has awarded a Sh3.9 billion contract to a consortium of Chinese and local firms to develop the road network surrounding the Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi. The project focuses on improving accessibility to the 60,000-seater facility, which is currently under construction at the Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road.
According to procurement details, the contract has been split among three primary contractors: China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Wu Yi Company Limited, and Gaps Construction and Engineering Company Limited, a Kenyan-owned firm. The scope of work involves the construction of single carriageways, dedicated pedestrian walkways, and footbridges designed to facilitate the movement of large crowds during international sporting events.
The infrastructure upgrade is a critical component of the broader preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The Talanta Sports City Stadium is designated as the primary venue for the tournament's opening and closing ceremonies.
This latest roads deal follows the progression of the main stadium project, which is being executed by CRBC under a public-private partnership model. The stadium construction has been funded through innovative financial instruments, including the Linzi 003 Infrastructure Asset-Backed Security, which was listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange to raise over Sh44 billion.
The Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Roads and Transport have indicated that the auxiliary infrastructure, including these road upgrades, must be completed in tandem with the stadium to avoid logistical bottlenecks. The project includes the integration of a link road connecting the Southern Bypass to the Bomas International Conference Centre, as well as a proposed railway station and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) access points along Ngong Road.
The stadium itself reached an 85 percent completion rate by late January 2026. Current works on the main site include the installation of the interior canopy, the fitting of floodlights, and the preparation of the playing surface to meet FIFA and World Rugby standards. The facility is designed to serve as a multi-purpose venue for football, rugby, and major concerts.
The inclusion of Gaps Construction and Engineering alongside the established Chinese multinational firms reflects a policy of incorporating local content into major infrastructure projects. China Wu Yi, which has a long-standing presence in Kenya’s residential and commercial real estate sectors, joins CRBC, the firm responsible for the Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway, to ensure the project meets the rigorous timelines required for the 2027 tournament.
The government has maintained that the stadium and its supporting road network will be handed over by March 2026. This timeline provides a window for trial events and safety certifications well ahead of the AFCON kickoff. Officials from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) will oversee the technical implementation of the new road contracts to ensure they align with existing urban mobility plans for the Ngong Road corridor.
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