Kisumu Hands Over Moi Stadium to the Contractor for KSh 800 Million Upgrade

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 1 February 2026 - Moi International Stadium’s long-awaited transformation officially kicked off after Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya launched the KSh 800 million renovation project, with the County Government of Kisumu formally handing over the facility to the contractor to allow works to begin immediately.

Speaking during the launch, County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs Beatrice Odongo described the project as a landmark moment for sports development in the region, noting that the upgrade will elevate the stadium to international standards and open new pathways for local talent.

“As the County Government of Kisumu, we sincerely appreciate the national government under the leadership of President Dr. William Samoei Ruto for supporting this transformative project. Moi Stadium will provide a modern facility where our young people can nurture, grow and showcase their sporting talent,” Odongo said, adding that the county has already provided the land and will continue to support seamless implementation.

The renovation, which will be undertaken by the national government and supervised by the Ministry of Defence, is expected to take 12 months, although the county and contractor are optimistic about an earlier completion.

“We expect the contractor to begin works right away as communicated by the Ministry of Defence. The project should not exceed 12 months, and we are hopeful it can be completed earlier,” Odongo stated.

County Secretary Hesbon Hongo assured residents that security and accountability have been prioritised from the outset, revealing that the Officer Commanding Kondele Police Station has confirmed adequate security arrangements, while local labour will be engaged through a structured and vetted process to safeguard materials and equipment.

To ensure sporting activities continue uninterrupted during construction, Odongo confirmed that league matches will be hosted at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, with teams training at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex, Kasagam Secondary School, Kisumu Day High School and the YMCA within Kisumu City.

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Representing the contractor, Royal Concrete’s Zain Khan confirmed full readiness to commence works, saying mobilisation of equipment was already underway.

“We are fully prepared to start this project for the people of Kisumu. While the contract period is 12 months, we are targeting completion within six to eight months,” Khan said.

The launch and handover ceremony, held shortly after CS Tuya’s official approval, was attended by senior county and national government officials, including CECMs Dr. Charles Konyango and Kenneth Onyango, Chief Officer for Sports Nancy Wasama, Ministry of Defence representatives Lt. Col. P. Githehu and Major E.O. Obwor, alongside contractors and other stakeholders, all united in signalling the start of a project poised to redefine Kisumu’s sporting landscape.