The Government has commenced construction of the 10,000-seater Thika Stadium which could potentially serve as one of the training venues for AFCON 2027.
The Kenyan government has launched the construction of a modern 10,000-seat stadium in Thika town, a project estimated to cost Sh850 million.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced at the groundbreaking ceremony that the new facility is slated for completion by the end of the year.
“Here in Thika, we have prioritised a modern stadium that will have a capacity of 10,000 fans. It will cost approximately Sh850 million and will be complete by the end of the year,” Mvurya stated.
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The new stadium will replace the dilapidated Thika Municipal Stadium, which has been in a state of disrepair for years. The upgraded facility is set to feature a standard football pitch, an eight-lane modern running track, changing rooms, a canopy, and a VVIP pavilion for dignitaries.
Mvurya Allays Displacement Fears
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This development is part of a broader strategy to enhance Kenya’s sports infrastructure, with the stadium earmarked as a potential training venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
The project had initially sparked concern among local traders operating near the existing stadium, who feared displacement. However, Mvurya moved to reassure the community, promising that their businesses would not be affected.
“We will ensure that no business is disrupted by the construction of the new stadium. You do not need to be afraid because your livelihood activities will not be affected when this project starts,” he affirmed.
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Defence CS Offers Key Assurances
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Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, also present at the ceremony, confirmed that existing amenities within the grounds, such as the basketball court and swimming pool, would be preserved.
“The amenities installed in the stadium to bolster sports will not be affected by the stadium construction,” Tuya said.
She highlighted that Kiambu County is currently seeing significant investment in sports, with three stadiums under construction—Kirigiti, Karatu, and now Thika—alongside three constituency sports academies designed to nurture young talent.
The Thika project is expected to transform the town, home to football clubs like Thika Homeboyz, TCM FC, and Kabati Youth, into a regional sporting hub. The new stadium aims to attract major events and stimulate the local economy for traders and service providers.
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