Preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have received a major boost as the upgrade of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret continues to make significant progress, with the facility set to serve as a key training base and alternative match venue for the continental tournament.
Principal Secretary for Interior, Raymond Omollo, said the initiative reveals the government’s dedication to providing a sports investment opportunity that’s a talent development and economic growth booster besides improving Kenya’s global competitiveness.
Omollo indicated that construction progress has been tremendous. Major works, structural elements roofing seating terraces, and supporting facilities, have already reached the nearly completed stage.
The redeveloped stadium will provide a capacity of 15, 000 and meet CAF standards through the installation of lighting, a media centre, changing rooms suitable for world matches.
Increase in the stadium facilities is bound to make athletics one of the towns main points of interest on a global level, at the same time, helping Eldoret become one of the cities that regularly hold international sporting events.
Omollo stated that a number of job opportunities have already resulted from this upgrade and more are expected. As a local economic driver, the project is helping Eldoret town and its neighboring areas in the entire North Rift region flourish.
Omollo also pointed out that the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration supports this project through a collaboration on security, emergency readiness, and a public safety scheme. This would be a guarantee of a top class venue when AFCON 2027 will be the stadium’s most important role.