Kakamega County reveals when Bukhungu Stadium will be completed
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 11.02.26. | 19:11
Bukhungu Stadium was first closed in January 2024 for four months to pave way for Phase Two upgrades ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was initially expected to be hosted at the venue
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has affirmed that Bukhungu Stadium will be completed before the end of the year, raising fresh hope among football fans and stakeholders in the region.
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Bukhungu Stadium was closed in January 2024 for four months to pave the way for Phase Two upgrades ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was initially expected to be hosted at the venue.
The project was approved after public participation and in December, the County Government awarded the contract to Wilkori Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Company Limited.
The first phase included the construction of county government offices, a 200-capacity parking space, stands, VIP and VVIP rooms, a doping control room, and two changing rooms, among other facilities.
The second phase involves construction of the main VIP stand, terraces, a gym room, six changing rooms and a dispensary room.
The third phase will focus on Section C works, including finishes and fittings, safety installations, specialised civil works such as floodlights, pitch earthworks, carpeting and access roads.
However, construction at the stadium has faced multiple stoppages due to payment disputes and slow progress, prompting a stern warning from President William Ruto in January 2025.
The contractor had previously been criticised for abandoning the site, with the project later placed under strict deadlines to avoid contract termination.
Now, fans and stakeholders can dare to dream again after Governor Barasa, speaking in an interview with a local dialect radio station, revealed that construction is ongoing and nearing completion.
“By August or September, Bukhungu Stadium will be complete and ready for AFCON 2027,” said the governor.
It remains unclear whether the stadium will host AFCON 2027-related activities such as watch parties or serve as a training venue, as Bukhungu is not among the facilities earmarked to host matches during the tournament.
Barasa further disclosed that the county government reached an agreement with the national government to fast-track the works.
“The Bukhungu Stadium project had stalled and there were pending bills, yet the project had been allocated Ksh 6 billion. When I took office, only Ksh 1.9 billion had been set aside, but the amount required could have crippled the county financially,” he explained.
“I engaged the National Government, and as of now, if you visit Bukhungu Stadium, construction is ongoing. The County Government will settle all the pending bills, amounting to nearly Ksh 700 million.”
The national government took over the renovation works at Bukhungu in January 2024 after the county government admitted it was facing financial challenges.