AFC Leopards receive major boost ahead of new season as Ruto honours key pledge
By Joel Masibo, August 5, 2026As AFC Leopards continue preparations for the upcoming season, the club has received a major boost after the government, under the directive of President William Ruto has moved a step closer to providing the former Kenyan Premier League champions with a modern training facility.
The move comes shortly after AFC Leopards, led by Chairman Bonface Ambani paid a courtesy call to the Head of State at the State House Nairobi recently.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, announced that he had joined Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya in conducting a technical assessment of the proposed upgrade of the Karen Technical Institute for the Deaf grounds in Nairobi into a modern football training ground for the 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions.
According to Mvurya, the facility is expected to become AFC Leopards’ training base while also benefiting community football clubs in Nairobi and its surrounding areas.
“The facility is envisioned to serve not only AFC Leopards SC but also community football clubs within Nairobi and its environs,” Mvurya said.
The Sports CS explained that the move follows a formal request made by AFC Leopards to President William Ruto, with the planned upgrade aimed at improving football development in the country.
He noted that once completed, the facility “will provide a conducive environment for talent identification, nurturing and development, while expanding access to quality training infrastructure for aspiring footballers.”
Mvurya further revealed that technical teams from Sports Kenya will now complete the feasibility study before implementation timelines are announced.
“Over the coming days, technical teams led by Sports Kenya will finalize the feasibility assessment and advise on the implementation timelines in line with H.E. President William Ruto’s directive,” he said.
The CS added that the proposed training ground is part of the government’s wider plan to improve sports infrastructure across the country through the construction of 33 new stadiums.
He said the investments are intended to strengthen talent development, create more opportunities for young athletes, and position sports as an important economic sector capable of creating jobs and transforming livelihoods.
Mvurya also confirmed that he delivered President Ruto’s pledge to AFC Leopards during the visit. The inspection was attended by President’s Advisor Moses Kuria, AFC Leopards patron Alex Muteshi, members of the club’s leadership, and other political leaders.
The planned training facility would mark a significant milestone for AFC Leopards as the club looks to enhance its preparations for the new campaign with access to a modern and dedicated training ground. At the same time, AFC Leopards completed their pre-season camp in Nakuru as the team plans to travel to Tanzania for a series of friendly matches, fine-tuning ahead of the 2026/27 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season start.