Inside the KSh 3.5 Billion Transformation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium (PHOTOS)

President William Ruto has pledged to strengthen Kenya’s sporting infrastructure, promising to complete Kipchoge Keino Stadium with a full canopy in the coming months as the country celebrated Mashujaa Day in Eldoret.

Speaking at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Tuesday, Ruto said the government was investing in modern sports facilities to nurture talent, create opportunities for young people and position Kenya as a major destination for international sporting events.

The President highlighted plans to modernize Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and develop the Raila Odinga International Stadium in Talanta City as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

The Kipchoge Keino stadium is nestled in the athletics rich Eldoret County and named after renowned athlete Kipchoge “Kip” Keino who was a two time Olympic gold medalist in his time. Now retired from the race track, Kipchoge Keino serves as the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee (KOC) and continues to inspire upcoming athletes to become an athletic force to reckon with.

The seating capacity of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is 15,000 (with figures ranging between 15,043 and 15,671 seats following its ongoing expansion and modernization).

Back in 2007 Kipchoge Keino stadium was closed for renovations and upgrades on its run down state as one of Kenya’s Vision2030 flagship projects. A sum of Sh100 million was allocated by the Kenya government to this end. To date, renovation works at the stadium remains work in progress despite the completion deadline of September 2011 being overdue.

During an inspection tour on Friday, Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo confirmed that the stadium is currently 33 per cent complete and progressing within the revised timelines.

“I want to report that the overall progress is at 33 per cent and within the timelines. We are scheduled to complete this project by the end of the year, and we are confident that by then, the stadium will be ready,” said Kilimo.

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