From construction jobs to sporting dreams: How Kipchoge Keino Stadium is changing lives

The Kipchoge Keino Stadium upgrade has started changing lives even before completion, with workers earning incomes from the project while helping transform the iconic Eldoret facility into a modern sports venue.

The ongoing construction has provided employment opportunities for 221 workers as the government moves to deliver a facility that will meet FIFA and CAF standards.

Among those benefiting from the project is Jane Khalai Kulova, a steel fixer who has worked at the site for the past year, helping in the construction of reinforced concrete structures that will form part of the upgraded stadium.

Kulova says the job has enabled her to become financially independent, support her children’s education and contribute to her family’s daily needs.

“This job has helped me educate my children. They are in school. I can also meet some of the family’s day-to-day needs without depending entirely on my husband,” she said.

She noted that earning her own income has brought dignity and reduced pressure on her family.

“When you stay without work, you end up asking for everything. You ask for money even to buy matches or vegetables. But when you have a job, you have your own money. Your husband contributes a little, you contribute a little, and life moves forward. You don’t burden each other,” Kulova added.

Kulova believes the completed stadium will provide a major platform for athletes and footballers in the region by reducing the need to travel far for training.

“When this stadium is completed, it will be very impressive. Athletes and football players will no longer have to travel far for training. They will come here to Kipchoge Stadium,” she said.

She also assured residents of Eldoret that construction work at the facility is progressing well and the project will be completed.

“I want to tell the people of Eldoret that work at Kipchoge Stadium is progressing well. The President has committed himself to this project and the work is moving on well. It is not a lie. This stadium is going to be completed,” Kulova said.

The progress of the project was recently assessed during an inspection by Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru and Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, which confirmed that construction has reached 47 per cent completion.

Practical completion of the stadium is expected by September 20, 2026, with the facility set to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations and serve as one of Kenya’s official training venues for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

Once complete, the stadium will have increased seating capacity from 9,248 to 15,671 through the construction of modern concrete grandstands.

The upgrade also includes rehabilitation and expansion of the VIP stand, installation of a full spectator canopy, construction of a tartan athletics track and improvement of the football pitch to support local talent and international competitions.

Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo said investment in sports infrastructure creates economic opportunities beyond sporting activities.

“Sport is an economy. Infrastructure is its foundation. Every modern stadium creates opportunities for talent to thrive, jobs to grow and communities to earn from talent… but talent alone is not enough; we must, therefore, invest in talent for the highest return on investment (RoI) as a country,” he said.

Kilimo added that collaboration between the Ministries of Sports and Defence has helped speed up the delivery of sports infrastructure projects across the country.

“The expertise of the Kenya Defence Forces is helping us build high-tech facilities that will transform talent into livelihoods and position sport as a driver of economic growth in the country,” he said.

For Kulova, the benefits of the stadium project are already visible before the facility is completed. She says the construction work has provided families with income while laying the foundation for future sporting opportunities in the region.