President Ruto promises 28 new sports stadiums across Kenya within 12 months

The national government will finalise the construction of 28 new sports facilities across the country over the next 12 months, President William Ruto has announced.

Speaking during an event honoring local sports achievements, President Ruto stated that the upcoming infrastructure aims to support athletic talent found throughout the regions.

The modern sports facilities are designed to integrate training grounds, gymnasiums, restaurants, retail shops, conference spaces, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hubs.

According to government officials, these additional commercial components are planned to establish a self-sustaining sports business ecosystem rather than relying solely on traditional matchday revenues.

The aggressive construction timeline aligns with broader regional preparations, as Kenya coordinates with neighboring East African states to upgrade primary sports venues ahead of upcoming continental tournaments.

While administration officials defend the extensive layout, critics, including some local lawmakers, question the economic productivity of the nationwide building programme, arguing for more direct funding toward grassroots training academies.

The physical construction delivery for the targeted regional stadiums is being managed across multiple agencies, with the state aiming to hand over the completed venues by mid-2027.