Nairobi is edging closer to hosting one of Africa’s biggest sporting spectacles, with the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium at Jamhuri Grounds entering its final phase of construction ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said the facility reflects Kenya’s growing readiness and confidence in staging a world-class tournament, noting that the stadium will serve as a flagship venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies.
“Kenya’s growing readiness and pride in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) is taking firm shape through the construction of the Raila Odinga International Stadium,” said Dr Omollo.
The stadium, renamed in December 2025 in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, is now structurally complete, with ongoing works focused on seat installation, broadcast infrastructure, lighting systems and final electrical and ICT fittings.
Inside the arena, finishing touches are rapidly advancing. Public address systems, giant screens and floodlights have already been installed, bringing the facility closer to operational readiness as Kenya prepares to meet strict continental hosting standards.
The design incorporates advanced engineering and sustainability features rarely seen in the region. These include an irrigation pump room, dedicated fire and domestic water storage systems, and a roof-harvested rainwater management system designed to collect, treat and recycle water for pitch maintenance.
“The project is in its final construction phase, with the superstructure complete and works focusing on seat installation, broadcast systems, lighting and final electrical and ICT fittings,” Dr Omollo said.
Architecturally, the stadium’s exterior façade draws inspiration from Kenya’s national emblem, while its roof is supported by a computerized hydraulic tension cable system—placing it among a select group of technologically advanced stadiums globally.
Beyond the pitch, the facility is designed as a comprehensive sports and entertainment hub. It features retail spaces, modern changing rooms and Video Assistant Referee (VAR)-enabled officiating suites, aligning it with international match standards.
Security and operational readiness have also been a central focus. The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is coordinating multi-agency efforts to ensure compliance with national and international event security requirements.
“The State Department… has been instrumental in synchronizing multi-agency operations around the project, overseeing compliance with national event security standards, coordinating crowd management frameworks and aligning local administrative units to support the stadium’s certification as a secure, tournament-ready venue,” Dr Omollo said.
With construction nearing completion, the stadium is expected to play a central role in Kenya’s AFCON 2027 ambitions, signaling not just readiness for the tournament, but a broader push to position Nairobi as a leading destination for major global sporting events.
Read: PS Omollo Provides Update on Raila Odinga International Sports Complex Construction
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