Government Revives Long-Stalled Kipchoge Keino Stadium Project in Eldoret
The Kenyan government has restarted work on the long-delayed Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, a 15,000-seater multi-purpose facility named after legendary athlete and Olympic champion Kipchoge Keino.
After more than a decade of intermittent progress and stagnation, construction has picked up again under the new contractor, Synohydro Corporation, following high-level inspections earlier this year involving President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. The project, which had last seen significant activity around the 2016 Rio Olympics trials, is now advancing steadily.
Current reports indicate the stadium is approximately 33% complete and remains on track for full completion by the end of 2026. Valued at over Ksh 3 billion, the upgraded venue will adhere to FIFA standards for football while featuring a World Athletics-approved tartan track to support elite athletics events. Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo expressed confidence in the timeline, noting the contractor's strong performance and the inclusion of modern facilities to meet international requirements.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii praised the visible progress during a recent site visit, emphasizing the North Rift region's rich athletics heritage—spanning counties like Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet—which has produced thousands of medals yet lacked adequate infrastructure. Once finished, the stadium will not only honor Kenya's sporting legacy but also pave the way for the contractor to tackle another major project, the 64 Stadium in the same county, boosting local sports development in this champion-producing area.
