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AFCON 2027: Sifuna raises questions over rising Talanta Stadium construction bill
24th September, 2026 10:54 AM
Senate Minority Leader Edwin Sifuna has questioned the sharp increase in the reported cost of constructing Talanta Stadium, calling for greater scrutiny of how public funds have been used on the project ahead of the beckoning 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
In his argument, Sifuna has said the stadium’s estimated cost had undergone several increases, moving from below Ksh20 billion to about Ksh35 billion and later Ksh45 billion.
Speaking in the Senate, the Nairobi senator has referred to what he said were findings by the Auditor General concerning a Ksh10 billion variance that had not been adequately explained.
He also questioned whether the controversy surrounding the stadium’s naming was taking attention away from financial accountability.
The facility was named Raila Odinga Stadium after the late former opposition leader. Sifuna argued that attaching Raila’s name to the project should not prevent scrutiny of its expenditure.
“They want us to forget those things by slapping the name of our former hero, or Raila Odinga on the stadium so that we don’t ask questions,” he said.
“That’s not what he taught us.” He said.
Sifuna maintained that opposition leaders were not opposed to the construction of public infrastructure such as roads and sporting facilities. His concern, he said, was the management and expenditure of public resources.
He also cited the long-running construction of Kamariny Stadium in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, questioning why an earlier government commitment to complete the facility within six months had not been fulfilled.
The senator further compared the reported expenditure on Talanta Stadium with spending at State House.
According to Sifuna, approximately Ksh40 billion spent on the stadium was comparable to the amount recorded by the Auditor General and Controller of Budget as State House entertainment expenditure in one financial year.
“Speaker, we could easily have every single financial year a stadium of the State House of Talanta if people understood that you are not going into government to enrich yourself or to throw parties at State House,” he said.
Sifuna said his side of the political divide would seek to reduce government expenditure and channel more resources towards citizens if given an opportunity to form the government.
CAF inspection at Talanta
Meanwhile, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe visited Kenya on Friday, September 18, 2026, as part of ongoing inspections and discussions ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Motsepe’s visit to Kenya formed part of a two-day tour of the three East African co-hosts, after Tanzania hosted him on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The South African football administrator held talks with the Kenyan government and inspected facilities earmarked for use during the continental tournament, among them Talanta Stadium and Kasarani Stadium.
The visit comes as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda intensify preparations for the first AFCON tournament to be jointly hosted by three East African countries between June and July 2027.
