State breaks ground on Sh800m Mumbi Stadium amid push to boost sports infrastructure and youth talent

Governor Irungu Kang'ata on an excavator during the ground breaking of Mumbi Stadium /ALICE WAITHERA

Construction of the Sh800 million modern Mumbi Stadium has officially started, marking a significant milestone in the national government’s ambitious drive to expand sports infrastructure and nurture youth talent across the country.

The ground-breaking ceremony was presided by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya who confirmed that the 10,000-seater facility will occupy seven acres and is set for completion within 12 months.

The project is part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen sports development nationwide and support local communities through enhanced sporting opportunities.

“We are constructing a modern stadium that will serve the young people of Murang’a and the entire region,” Mvurya said, emphasising that the facility will directly benefit residents, particularly the youth, with employment and skills-building opportunities during construction.

According to the stadium's design, the complex will feature a standard football pitch and eight-lane tartan running track, changing rooms, VIP pavilions and ample parking.

 Auxiliary courts for volleyball, handball, basketball and netball will also be established and other amenities crucial for hosting diverse sporting events.

The government has committed to sourcing all manual labour locally, ensuring residents benefit first from job opportunities tied to the build.

Mvurya said the new stadium will foster local talent and elevate Murang’a’s status as a regional sports hub.

In addition to Mumbi Stadium, the county is set to benefit from several other planned facilities, including the 10,000-seater Gakoigo Stadium, 5,000-seater General Kago Stadium in Kangema and two sports academies in Miriira and Kabati.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi highlighted the strong collaboration between the national and county governments, describing the project as a shared commitment to uplifting young people through sports.

Mumbi grounds that is located in Murang'a town and is set to be upgraded to a stadium /ALICE WAITHERA

He added that beyond sporting excellence, the facility is expected to stimulate economic activity, create jobs and attract visitors from across the country.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata welcomed the initiative, reaffirming that residents will be prioritised for job opportunities during construction and that the county government will support the project’s implementation as a transformative investment for the region.

Mumbi Stadium project comes at a time when the government has been substantially boosting investment in sports infrastructure with plans to build 22 new stadia and establish 30 sports academies to widen access and nurture talent.

In the 2025-26 national budget, the sports sector received Sh17.46 billion earmarked for sports programmes including talent development and stadium projects, a significant reduction from the Sh18.59 billion initially proposed by the National Treasury.

Additionally, the government announced earlier in the year that it would spend more than Sh57 billion on the construction and upgrading of multiple stadia ahead of major continental events like the African Nations Championship and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kang’ata stressed that the Mumbi Stadium will not only serve as a competitive sports venue but also as an engine for local economic growth, creating jobs during and after construction and attracting sports tourism to Murang’a.

The facility is expected to help integrate the county into national and regional sports circuits, fostering pride among residents and opportunity among young athletes.

As construction begins, leaders expressed optimism that the stadium will become a centre for sporting excellence and community development, demonstrating the government’s continued commitment to investing in youth and national sports infrastructure.

Instant analysis:

The county is set to benefit from several other planned facilities, including the 10,000-seater Gakoigo Stadium, 5,000-seater General Kago Stadium in Kangema and two sports academies in Miriira and Kabati. In the 2025-26 national budget, the sports sector received Sh17.46 billion earmarked for sports programmes including talent development and stadium projects, a significant reduction from the Sh18.59 billion initially proposed by the National Treasury.