By Robert Mutasi 
The government has breathed new life into the long-delayed 64 Stadium project in Eldoret after the Ministry of Defence officially assumed control of its construction, raising hopes that the facility will finally be completed after nearly three years of inactivity.
The move marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to revive critical infrastructure projects that have faced prolonged setbacks, with officials expressing confidence that the stadium will be delivered within the next three months.
Speaking after inspecting the site on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Patrick Mariru announced that the ministry had formally taken over the project following a directive from President William Ruto aimed at accelerating the completion of strategic national developments.
According to Mariru, the Ministry of Defence has been entrusted with overseeing the project to ensure efficient implementation and eliminate the challenges that previously hindered progress.
“Also, this morning, I visited the 64 Stadium in Eldoret Town. This is one of the key sports infrastructure projects now under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence, following the directive of H.E. President William Samoei Ruto,” Mariru stated.
The 64 Stadium project has for years remained a symbol of unrealised sporting ambitions in the North Rift region.
Construction works stalled nearly three years ago, leaving residents, athletes and sports administrators frustrated as the unfinished facility continued to deteriorate. The prolonged delay sparked concerns over the future of sports development in the region, particularly in Eldoret, a town internationally recognised for producing world-class athletes.
The latest intervention by the Ministry of Defence is expected to reverse that trend and restore confidence among stakeholders who have long awaited the completion of the modern sports complex.
Mariru expressed optimism that the ministry’s engineering expertise and project management capacity would enable the government to fast-track the works and meet the ambitious completion timeline.
“Construction of the stadium had stalled for nearly three years. We shall restart work and deliver the facility in under three months,” he said.
The 64 Stadium is among several sports facilities earmarked for upgrading and completion as Kenya intensifies preparations to host major regional, continental and international sporting events in the coming years.
Once completed, the facility is expected to serve as a modern sporting hub capable of hosting athletics competitions, football matches and various other sporting disciplines. The stadium is also anticipated to provide a platform for nurturing emerging talent while supporting sports academies and training programmes within the region.
Sports stakeholders believe the project could significantly boost Eldoret’s reputation as Kenya’s athletics capital by providing athletes with improved training and competition facilities.
Beyond sports, the stadium is expected to stimulate economic activity by creating employment opportunities, attracting sporting events and increasing business for hotels, transport operators and local traders.
The takeover further highlights the government’s increasing reliance on the Ministry of Defence to deliver major public projects.
In recent years, the ministry’s engineering units have earned recognition for implementing large-scale infrastructure developments, including roads, housing projects and other strategic national programmes.
Government officials argue that involving the military’s engineering corps enhances efficiency, accountability and adherence to timelines, particularly for projects that have experienced repeated delays under conventional implementation models.
The revival of the 64 Stadium project is therefore being viewed not only as a boost for sports development but also as a test of the government’s commitment to completing long-overdue infrastructure investments.
For residents of Eldoret and the wider Uasin Gishu County, the announcement signals renewed optimism that a project which had become synonymous with stalled promises could soon be transformed into a landmark sporting facility capable of inspiring future generations of Kenyan athletes.
With construction now set to resume under the Ministry of Defence, attention will shift to whether the ambitious three-month completion target can be achieved and whether the long-awaited stadium will finally open its doors to the public after years of uncertainty.