Raila Odinga International Stadium Hits 94% Completion Ahead of 2027 AFCON Prep

Kenya's new 60,000-seater Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium at Talanta City is now 94 percent complete, with President William Ruto confirming it will officially open on January 5, 2027.

The state-of-the-art facility will launch with an exhibition match between European football giants FC Bayern Munich of Germany and AFC Ajax of the Netherlands.

The high-profile fixture brings together two clubs that have won Europe's premier competition 10 times combined. Ruto noted that the choice of opponents carries personal and symbolic meaning for the project.

"There is a quiet poetry in this fixture. Raila studied in Germany; now a great German club will come to play in the house that bears his name," Ruto said.

The President also pointed to the link between Ajax's famous youth academy, known as "De Toekomst" or "The Future," and the name of the Talanta complex.

"For generations, Ajax built its greatness on young talent, nurtured in an academy whose very name is the future. Talanta means talent. Ajax's Academy is called the future. On January 5, 2027, talent and the future will meet in Nairobi," Ruto said.

Government officials confirmed the construction progress following a joint inspection tour led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo announced the 94 per cent completion figure alongside several other senior government officials. The delegation included Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Defence PS Patrick Mariru, Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei, and Immigration PS Belio Kipsang.

Addressing concerns over funding, Ruto stated that the opening event will rely on corporate partnerships and a commercial model rather than public money. He argued that world-class facilities can attract private investment and generate revenue for the country.

"This is more than the opening of a stadium. It is a statement of who we are, and most importantly, who we are becoming," Ruto added.

The stadium forms a key part of Kenya's preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the regional Pamoja initiative.