Why Moi Stadium Kisumu will close after this weekend’s matches
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 11.01.26. | 12:49
According to a directive issued by the county government, all teams that have been using the venue have been instructed to relocate to Kisumu Sports Ground with immediate effect once the weekend fixtures are completed
Moi Stadium, Kisumu will host its final football matches this weekend before being closed from Monday, 11 January, as the Kisumu County Government moves ahead with long-awaited upgrade works on the facility.
According to a directive issued by the county government, all teams that have been using the venue have been instructed to relocate to Kisumu Sports Ground with immediate effect once the weekend fixtures are completed.
The closure clears the way for the modernisation of Moi Stadium into a 10,000-seater facility, part of Kisumu County’s broader infrastructure development agenda aimed at improving sports facilities across the region.
Several teams will be affected by the shutdown, including Kisumu All Stars, Kisped Queens, Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), and Kisumu All Starlets, who have regularly hosted matches at the venue.
Other sides such as Vihiga United and Amani Youth have also staged their home games at the iconic stadium.
The upgrade project, estimated to cost Sh800 million, was officially launched in December 2025, with construction works set to be undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The government expects the project to be completed by December 2026.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony in Kisumu, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the refurbished stadium would meet international standards once completed.
She revealed that the facility will feature a roofed western stand, a standard football pitch, and an eight-lane tartan athletics track compliant with World Athletics regulations.
Additional works will include mechanical, electrical and civil installations, perimeter fencing, and sufficient parking space for both VIPs and general spectators, positioning the stadium to host major sporting events.
The current project represents a shift from earlier plans. In October 2023, the Ministry of Sports, then under Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, had announced that Moi Stadium would be upgraded into a 30,000-seater venue as part of Kenya’s proposed infrastructure for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
That proposal also included an indoor arena, an aquatics centre and an outdoor recreational complex.
However, the scope was revised in July 2025 when President William Ruto announced a scaled-down facelift costing close to Sh800 million. While the groundbreaking had been expected earlier, logistical delays meant local sports stakeholders only witnessed the official launch this week.
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Built in the 1980s, Moi Stadium has served as a home ground for numerous teams for more than three decades, playing a central role in football and athletics development in western Kenya.
County officials say the modernisation project is designed to transform the aging facility into a hub for youth talent development and elite competition, elevating it to national and international standards.
In the meantime, teams that have relied on the venue will be forced to seek alternative grounds during the construction period.
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