Govt Takes Over KSh1.7 Billion Mombasa Stadium Project
The National Government has formally taken over the construction of the long-delayed KSh1.7 billion Mombasa Stadium project, a move aimed at fast-tracking the completion of the 15,000-seater facility and aligning it with national sports infrastructure standards.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced the takeover on Wednesday, February 4, confirming that the project had been handed over from the Mombasa County Government following a series of technical assessments and consultations between the two levels of government.
“The National Government has taken over the construction of the 15,000-seater modern Mombasa Stadium following comprehensive technical assessments and consultations with the County Government of Mombasa,” Mvurya said in a statement.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the takeover was undertaken on the directive of President William Ruto, who has identified the stadium as a strategic low-altitude sports facility capable of hosting major continental and international competitions. Once the handover process is complete, the Ministry of Sports will receive the project’s current fiscal and implementation status before deploying a technical team to assess the remaining scope of work.
The assessment, Mvurya explained, will guide the final phase of construction to ensure the stadium meets approved national designs, FIFA standards, and international best practices.
“The review will inform the completion of the facility in line with national specifications to deliver a world-class stadium that can serve both athletes and fans,” he added.
Once completed, the modern stadium is expected to significantly boost sports tourism at the Coast and position Mombasa as a key destination for major sporting and entertainment events. The government says the facility will also provide a viable alternative venue for hosting high-profile national and international competitions, reducing pressure on existing stadia in Nairobi.
Mvurya noted that the project forms part of broader efforts to enhance Kenya’s sports infrastructure and expand opportunities for athletes across the country.
“This project will not only improve sports facilities but also stimulate economic activity in Mombasa and the wider Coast region through job creation, tourism, and related investments,” he said.
The Mombasa Stadium project has had a chequered history since construction officially began in 2015. Initially conceived as a county-led initiative, the project has faced multiple delays, funding challenges, and revisions to its scope over the years. In 2018, the Mombasa County Government allocated KSh1.2 billion to rebuild the stadium from scratch.
In 2020, the project cost was revised upwards to KSh1.7 billion to accommodate an expanded capacity of 15,000 seats, an indoor arena, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. However, progress remained slow, and by 2023, reports indicated that an additional KSh1.3 billion would be required to complete the stalled works.
The national government’s intervention comes amid intensified preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania. In recent months, the government has taken over or directly supervised the rehabilitation and construction of several stadia to ensure the country meets Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements ahead of the tournament.
Earlier this week, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced that it would take over the construction of a new stadium in Wajir County, further signalling the government’s commitment to accelerating sports infrastructure development nationwide.
As Kenya steps up preparations for AFCON 2027, the takeover of the Mombasa Stadium is being viewed as a critical step towards delivering modern, compliant facilities capable of showcasing the country on the continental stage.
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Govt Takes Over KSh1.7 Billion Mombasa Stadium Project
