The government has conducted an inspection of the Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi ahead of its scheduled commissioning on January 5, 2027.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the assessment was undertaken to evaluate the facility’s readiness for the official opening, which will be marked by an international football fixture between German club Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, November 9, Omollo said the inspection was part of preparations for the historic occasion.
The 60,000-seater facility, located at Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road, is expected to become one of Kenya’s key sporting venues ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo separately confirmed that the stadium had reached 94 per cent completion following an inspection tour led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The inspection brought together several Principal Secretaries, including Omollo, Defence PS Patrick Mariru, Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei and Immigration PS Belio Kipsang.
President William Ruto announced the January 5 commissioning date on October 28, saying the Bayern Munich-Ajax encounter would officially inaugurate the facility.
The stadium is expected to play a significant role in Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027, which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
According to Omollo, the facility is expected to host both the opening and final matches of the continental tournament.
The January friendly will also provide an opportunity to assess the stadium’s operational readiness ahead of the tournament, including its ability to accommodate international teams and supporters.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has previously said the fixture will serve as a dress rehearsal for AFCON 2027, with ticketing, security, transport, evacuation and broadcasting systems expected to undergo testing.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are scheduled to co-host AFCON from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in what will be the first three-country edition of the continental competition.
The stadium’s commissioning is therefore expected to mark an important milestone in Kenya’s preparations to host the tournament.
