Shock as Chinese Worker is Found Dead at Talanta Stadium Construction Site

A Chinese worker was found dead at the construction site of the Talanta Sports Stadium in Jamhuri, Nairobi. Officers confirmed the man was discovered unresponsive inside a toilet block on the grounds on Tuesday morning.

Security personnel at the site raised the alarm after a chef from the Chinese management team made the discovery. Workers and security responded immediately, and the man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police examined the location as part of their inquiries. Investigators noted a minor injury to the right side of the man’s head. His body has been moved to Lee Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination.

Nairobi regional police commander Issa Mohamud said detectives are pursuing two main lines of inquiry, sudden death or possible foul play. The exact cause remains unconfirmed at this stage.

The incident comes after another worker’s body was recovered from the same site late last year. In that case, 35-year-old Sammy Kyengo was reported missing by his wife, Christine Kyengo. His phone had gone silent, and he failed to return home.

A week-long search ended when his body was found submerged in a concealed water sump beneath the stadium’s terraces. The area had been partially boarded up, and the body appeared deliberately hidden. Visible injuries were present on the back of his head and neck, with blood noted from his nose and mouth.

Christine Kyengo told reporters her husband had been distressed about delayed wages. He had wanted to claim his pay since July and leave the job. The discovery prompted an immediate suspension of construction work, with parts of the site sealed off for forensic examination.

Family members spent days checking hospitals, police stations, and mortuaries before learning of his death. Fellow workers said they had seen him on the day he disappeared but could not confirm whether he left the premises. A post-mortem later confirmed injuries to his head and back before death.

The Talanta Sports City Stadium, formerly known as the Raila Odinga Stadium, is a 60,000-seat venue under construction. It forms part of Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The facility is expected to host matches and remains under consideration for the tournament’s opening and closing ceremonies.

Construction has continued despite the earlier suspension, with the site still active when Tuesday’s incident occurred. The project represents a significant piece of sports infrastructure for the region, though the recent deaths have drawn fresh scrutiny to conditions on the ground.

Police have not released the name of the Chinese worker or further details about his role. Preliminary reports suggest he was part of the on-site team managed by the Chinese contractors. No additional information on his age or specific duties has been made public.

The latest case has prompted renewed calls for a thorough investigation. Officers continue to gather evidence at the toilet block and the surrounding areas. Results from the post-mortem are expected to provide more clarity on the circumstances.

Work at the stadium has not been suspended following this incident, unlike the previous one. Site security remains in place while the inquiry proceeds.

The Talanta project sits within a wider push to upgrade Kenya’s sporting venues ahead of the 2027 tournament. Delivery of the stadium is viewed as central to the country’s ability to stage high-profile international fixtures.

Local authorities and the project team have yet to issue statements on the latest death. Police inquiries are ongoing.