By Robert Mutasi 
Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is 78% complete, with contractors working to prepare the facility for the Mashujaa Day celebrations scheduled for Oct. 20 and expected to be presided over by President William Ruto.
Construction teams are installing a Chinese-made roof on the main pavilion as work intensifies ahead of the national event. The stadium is expected to reach 85% completion next week before being handed over to the Mashujaa Day organising committee on Oct. 16.
A delegation from the President’s office, led by Vesca Kangogo and Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo, visited the facility to assess progress and determine whether contractors were on course to meet the deadline.
Kilimo said more than 659 workers had been deployed to accelerate construction and ensure the main pavilion and seating areas were ready for the celebrations.
“We have more than 659 workers on site to ensure the stadium is almost complete in good time. We will have the main pavilion done along with the seating areas for visitors,” Kilimo said.
He said construction would be temporarily suspended on Oct. 16 to allow the organising committee to prepare the venue for the celebrations. Contractors are expected to resume work after the Oct. 20 event to complete the remaining sections.
The stadium is scheduled for full completion in December, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matches that Kenya is expected to co-host with Uganda and Tanzania in 2027.
Kilimo said work was also progressing at Kipchoge Stadium in Kapsabet and Kamaring Stadium in Iten, where some activities linked to the Mashujaa Day celebrations will take place.
Leaders from Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties have welcomed the planned celebrations, pledging to support preparations for the national event.
Sen. Jackson Mandago said leaders were mobilising resources and support to ensure the region hosts the president and invited guests successfully.
“We have put in all our support and mobilisation to ensure we host a successful Mashujaa Day and host the President and other guests to our region,” Mandago said.
He said the presidential visit would also provide an opportunity to showcase development projects underway in the North Rift, including initiatives previously promised to residents.
Kangogo said the tour would highlight the government’s development record and efforts to complete projects, including those that had stalled under previous administrations.
The celebrations will be jointly hosted by Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, placing the region at the centre of this year’s national festivities.
The stadium preparations come as State House outlines a 10-day presidential tour of North Rift counties, which began in Trans Nzoia County.
The visit has drawn political attention amid strained relations between the national government and Trans Nzoia Gov. George Natembeya.
Kenya Kwanza leaders, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, have accused Natembeya of obstructing Ruto’s development tour of the region.
Natembeya has rejected the suggestion that he can prevent the president from visiting the county, maintaining that Ruto is free to undertake official activities there. The governor has also accused the national government of sidelining Trans Nzoia in development programmes.
As construction continues in Eldoret, attention remains on whether contractors will complete the essential facilities in time for the Oct. 20 celebrations while maintaining the December deadline for the entire stadium.
The event is expected to bring national leaders, invited guests and members of the public to the North Rift, with the stadium serving as a central venue for the celebrations.