Ruto confirms demolition of Gusii Stadium, sets aside Ksh1B for Shabana FC new home

President William Ruto has disclosed that the state has set aside Ksh1 billion for the construction of a new Gusii Stadium for the Kisii-based Football Kenya Federation Premier League outfit Shabana FC.

Speaking on his development tour in Kisii County on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Ruto revealed that the facility will be ready by June 2027, making the pledge after delivering a new bus to the team in April 2026. Additionally, Ruto broke ground for the construction of a 14,000-seater Gusii Stadium.

According to Ruto’s description, initially, the Ksh1 billion facelift will transform the current county stadium into a FIFA-standard pitch with an eight-lane track.

“Ile stadium yenyu ilikuwa hapa ya jua kali nimebomoa na ninataka kujenga stadium ingine mpya. Tumeweka billion moja hapo ndio ikae stadium ya kamaitaifa ama namna gani? Ama nyinyi mnataka stadium ya jua kali? Si tutengeneze ingine mpya? Si ndio? Mukienda ahapo Kisii saa hii mutaona mafundi wanafanya kazi, ni nimeambia Simba, kufikia mwezi wa sita, iyo stadium itakuwa tayari, munaweza kufanyia sherehe hapo ile ya Madaraka ama ingine..sijui kama tunaelewana?” he said.

Meanwhile, while football clubs are being forced to search for alternative venues because the country’s few international-standard stadiums are undergoing renovations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Shabana FC are currently utilising the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru as their official home for the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season.

Tore Bobe is among the country’s top three football clubs with rich history and boasting a massive following, just behind AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. After spending decades in the lower leagues, Shabana FC eventually earned promotion back to the country’s top-tier league in 2023.

On Monday, November 9, 2026, Shabana appointed Gary Collis, a former South Australia Football Federation President, as its official Ambassador to Australia.

Madam Christine Hunter joins him as the Assistant Ambassador. The appointments are part of the club’s self-stated strategy to build an international presence and create new opportunities for the team.

Collis accepted his new role and issued a greeting to the Kenyan football community.

“Jambo from Australia to all the office holders of Shabana Football Club, the officers, the management, the coaches, the players, the volunteers, the trainers, your sponsors, and more importantly all the magnificent supporters of Shabana Football Club,” Collis said.

The side is currently placed fourth in the league standings with nine points out of six outings.

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