Kirubia Stadium Set For Completion In Four Months After A Decade Of Delays

By Alex Njeru

Construction and renovation works at Kirubia Stadium are expected to be completed within the next four months, marking a turning point in a project that has dragged on for 10 years since the first phase of construction began.

The multi-million-shilling stadium, designed to host over 2000 spectators has suffered repeated delays both financial and technical forcing the national government to push for accelerated completion ahead of the April 2026 deadline.

During an inspection tour yesterday, State Department for Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the first phase of the project suffered significant maintenance challenges.

He revealed that the second and final phase would include new additions such as a presidential pavilion and holding rooms, following recommendations from the Office of the President.

“The President in a previous visit noted there was no space for a pavilion and holding rooms. Through Sports Kenya, we have identified a contractor to work on those areas. We have also identified sections that require re-evaluation before we hand over the stadium to the county government,” PS Mwangi said.

He noted that the running track installed during the earlier phase is already peeling off, while the grass on the field has deteriorated due to lack of proper maintenance.

“We are going to ensure the stadium track, field and other amenities are up to standard. This stadium was handed over to the contractor in 2016. We don’t want to extend further. What remains is finishing so that our youth can use the facility for talent development,” he added.

The PS further announced that plans were underway to construct two sports academies in Tharaka Nithi County and a 10,000-seater stadium in partnership with the county government. The larger stadium will require between 10 and 15 hectares of land.

“We intend to have two academies in Tharaka Nithi in addition to the 10,000-capacity stadium,” he said.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who hosted the PS during the tour, said the county was ready to provide land in Kathwana for the construction of a new standard stadium, noting Tharaka Nithi remains the only county in Kenya without a stadium.

“We are determined as a government to give you land in Kathwana. We are on record for not having a stadium in the 47 counties. With the support of the President, we will work to ensure we have a stadium here,” Njuki said.

He expressed frustration over the prolonged construction period, saying the county was committed to resolving issues with the track, field, water supply, and electricity before the April 2026 handover.

“If we delay this field further and hit April without it being utilized, that will be justice denied. Kirubia Stadium has been a construction site for 10 years, which is a very unfortunate situation,” he said.

“Athletes who would have discovered their talents here have done so elsewhere. Many of our youth who could have become something through this stadium have become something else.”

The stadium has long been viewed as a key sporting facility for the region. In February 2023, then Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba ordered the contractor to return to site to address incomplete works before handing it over.

He noted the project was part of the former Jubilee administration’s plan to construct seven stadia across the country to nurture grassroots talent.

However, the Kenya Kwanza administration later froze new sports infrastructure projects pending a special audit to evaluate expenditures, construction standards, and reasons behind stalled projects.

Earlier, on June 3, 2021, Sports Kenya Deputy Director General Gabriel Komora had attributed the prolonged delay in completing Kirubia Stadium to financial constraints.

The project was first initiated by Governor Muthomi Njuki during his tenure as Member of Parliament for Chuka/Igambang’ombe Constituency, with Toddy Civil Engineering and Construction Company contracted to undertake the first phase.

Kirubia Stadium sits in a high-altitude area, a feature that has been hailed as ideal for training athletes.

Despite its incomplete state, the facility played host to the 8th edition of the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Games in April 2023.