Nandi County is set to strengthen its status as the home of champions with the launch of the Kapsabet Kipchoge Keino Stadium, a new facility designed to elevate the training environment for emerging and elite athletes.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on Friday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the 12-acre project, officially marking the start of construction on a stadium that will feature a 400-meter mixed-surface track, a standard football pitch, and seating for 10,000 spectators.
“This initiative underscores the visionary leadership of H.E. Dr. William Ruto, whose commitment continues to drive transformative development across our counties,” said CS Tuya.
“The Kapsabet Kipchoge Keino Stadium will play a key role in elevating sports excellence in Nandi County, a region where athletic talent thrives.”
She added, “Such a significant investment in sports facilities is aimed at maximising the abundant athletic talent that Kenya is renowned for, ensuring local athletes have world-class infrastructure to develop and excel.”
The investment taps into the region’s deep reservoir of talent, giving athletes from Nandi, one of Kenya’s most celebrated running hubs, a modern platform to refine their skills and compete at world-class levels.
“This stadium is a landmark for Nandi County and a clear statement that our athletes deserve the best facilities to excel,” said Nandi Governor Stephen Sang.
“It will allow our young talent to train closer to home, access modern equipment, and prepare to compete on the world stage.”
He added, “We are committed to ensuring this project benefits the community at large, not just athletes. From training facilities to accommodation, every aspect is designed to provide a holistic environment for sports development and youth empowerment.”
The project aligns with the national ambition to strengthen sports excellence across the country, a vision exemplified by the development of Talanta Sports City in Nairobi.
While Talanta Sports City introduces cutting-edge technology, international-grade facilities, and expanded capacity for multisport events at the national level, the Kipchoge Keino Stadium brings the same spirit of innovation and excellence directly to the counties.
Together, the two facilities create a national-to-county sports ecosystem designed to discover, train, and elevate Kenyan talent from grassroots to global platforms.
Backed by the leadership of President William Ruto, the stadium represents part of a broader first-world commitment to transformative development and talent nurturing across regions.
For Nandi, where many of Kenya’s legendary long-distance athletes were born and trained, the facility is expected to deepen the county’s legacy as a breeding ground for champions.
The project is being implemented by the Nandi County Government, with technical oversight from the Kenya Defence Forces under the Ministry of Defence, a model that blends county ownership with national expertise to ensure quality and timely delivery.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei, area MP Hon. Josses Lelmengit, Tinderet MP Hon. Julius Kibiwot Melly, and Brigadier Titus Sokobe, the KDF Chief of Infrastructure.
Their presence underscored the strong multisector collaboration behind a project expected to boost local pride and create new pathways for young athletes.
With state-of-the-art sports infrastructure now rising both in the capital and in talent-rich counties like Nandi, Kenya is laying the foundation for a future where athletes can train at international standards right from their hometowns, turning local dreams into global victories.
