Kisumu: Construction of the Sh850 million Gakoigo Stadium in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a is progressing steadily, with the government expressing confidence that the flagship sports facility will play a key role in nurturing talent.
According to Kenya News Agency, Sports’ Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi stated that the 10,000-seater stadium is at its initial stages of construction, with the contractor having mobilized equipment and ongoing works proceeding well. He noted that the facility is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Murang’a County and beyond.
The PS highlighted that Gakoigo Stadium is among the national government’s transformative investments aimed at repositioning sports as a driver of socio-economic development across the country. Mwangi outlined that once completed, the stadium will feature a standard football pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, modern changing rooms, a VVIP pavilion, ample parking, and other world-class amenities that will enable it to host national and international sporting events.
He emphasized that the facility is being developed as more than just a sports arena, as it will also serve as an integrated innovation hub supporting film and music studios, ICT hubs, and commercial spaces to create employment opportunities for young people. ‘The government is investing in modern sports infrastructure to unlock the potential of our youth, create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and strengthen the country’s economy. Gakoigo Stadium is a model project that brings together sports, creativity, technology, and enterprise,’ Mwangi added.
The PS further observed that the project reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring every region has quality sports infrastructure capable of identifying, nurturing, and commercializing sporting talent while promoting community development. He mentioned that the investment is expected to boost local businesses through increased demand for goods and services during construction and after completion when the facility begins hosting sporting competitions and other events.
Mwangi added that the government is transforming the sports sector from being viewed purely as a recreational activity into a strategic pillar for economic development and wealth creation. The Gakoigo Stadium project is among several sports infrastructure developments being undertaken by the national government to expand access to modern sporting facilities across the 47 counties.
Construction of the stadium, which officially commenced in 2025 and has continued in phases, is the second stadium the government is building in Murang’a County. A 10,000-seater Mumbi modern stadium is still being constructed in Murang’a town to boost sporting activities.
According to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, both Gakoigo and Mumbi stadiums are expected to be completed by 2027. Upon completion, they will become some of the largest and most modern stadiums in the Mt. Kenya region, providing a major boost to sports development in Murang’a County by offering athletes a modern training and competition venue while attracting regional and national tournaments that will spur economic activity in the county and neighboring areas.
