Raila Odinga International Stadium construction reaches 80 percent completion in Nairobi

The Kenyan government has announced that construction of the Raila Odinga International Stadium has reached the 80 percent completion mark. Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi confirmed the status of the 60,000-seater facility following a joint inspection tour on January 23, 2026. The project is currently being developed as a primary venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The inspection team included Principal Secretaries from the departments of Interior, Defence, and Broadcast and Telecommunications. Technical representatives from the State Departments for Roads, Water, Transport, and Energy were also present to review the integration of supporting infrastructure. PS Mwangi stated that the current progress provides a guarantee that the project will meet its scheduled completion timelines.

Work on the facility has focused on the installation of the main superstructures and the stadium facade. Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru noted that the most critical engineering phases, including the support systems for the terraces and the external skin of the stadium, are largely finished. The site has moved into the final stages of interior works and the preparation of the playing surfaces.

The stadium features specialized engineering, including a computerized hydraulic tension cable roof system. Technical teams are currently leveling the primary pitch to international standards required by the Confederation of African Football. External works are also advancing with the installation of the stadium emblem and the completion of canopy sections.

Aside from the main bowl, the project scope includes the development of two outdoor training pitches and comprehensive amenities for broadcast and security. The facility is designed to include seven modern changing rooms, VAR booths, and goal-line technology systems to meet FIFA requirements.

PS Mwangi indicated that the stadium is expected to be ready by March 2026. This timeline precedes planned inspections by CAF delegations, who will assess the country's readiness for the continental tournament. The government is also carrying out simultaneous upgrades at other venues, including Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, as part of a wider sports infrastructure program involving 21 facilities across the country.