The construction of the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, KSh1.7 billion of which has been pending long before approval, has officially been transferred to the National Government of Kenya to expedite the completion of the project and make it a potential host of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027. The takeover is based on an agreement between the County Government of Mombasa and the national government, which opens the way to full control of the implementation by the Ministry of Sports.

The 15,000-seat stadium has been considered a strategic contribution to AFCON infrastructure in Kenya, especially because of its seaside location and modern design standards. When complete, the facility will meet FIFA and CAF expectations, allowing Mombasa to host high-profile international matches alongside existing venues in Nairobi.

The contract requires Mombasa County to submit the final accounts of the project to the contractor within one week in order to implement verifications of completed works, certified payments, and outstanding obligations. This will guide a technical review to identify the scope of works yet to be done, after which construction will restart under the supervision of the national government.

Scope of Mombasa Municipal Stadium Construction and AFCON 2027 Preparation

The takeover comes after years of delays that have typified the redevelopment of the stadium. In 2018, the Mombasa County Government spent KSh1.2 billion reconstructing the facility after the original stadium was destroyed.

However, there was a revision in the project cost in 2020 to KSh1.7 billion due to an increased scope that doubled the seating capacity to 15,000 spectators and incorporated new features, such as an indoor arena and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Despite these investments, progress remained sluggish because of funding gaps, contract interruptions, and design changes. Government authorities have affirmed that the project is not starting from scratch; an estimated 30–45% of the works have already been completed, which will be integrated into the updated construction plan.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will oversee the remaining works on behalf of the Ministry of Sports. Defence officials have stated that KDF involvement aims to ensure closer project control, accelerate delivery, and meet quality standards before AFCON 2027.

The Ministry of Sports has also reported that after completion, the stadium will be handed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for inspection and certification as a venue for the AFCON 2027 event. Other key facilities to be implemented include a FIFA-standard pitch, contemporary spectator terraces, a VIP pavilion, protective canopy, and other support facilities required during international tournaments.

In addition to football, the stadium will support broader sports development in the Coast region, including athletics, indoor sports, and community programs. Officials have emphasized its potential to generate sports tourism, provide job opportunities, and increase youth involvement in organized sports.

The decision to hand over the project to national management reflects the government’s strategy to expedite essential sports infrastructure development as Kenya gears up to co-host AFCON 2027 with Uganda and Tanzania. Officials estimate that the remaining works will be completed in about a year, pending smooth procurement and mobilisation, restoring trust in the delivery of mass sports facilities.

Project Factsheet

• Country: Kenya
• Location: Mombasa County
• Industry: Sports Facilities
• Project: Mombasa Municipal Stadium
• Seating Capacity: 15,000
• Projected Cost: KSh1.7 billion
• Preliminary Allocation (2018): KSh1.2 billion
• Scope Expansion (2020): Indoor arena, Olympic-size swimming pool
• Project Owners: County Government of Mombasa / National Government of Kenya
• Supervising Authority: Ministry of Sports
• Implementation Assistance: Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)
• Strategic Goal: AFCON 2027 venue preparation and regional sports development