A Sh3.9 billion contract to reshape the arteries around Talanta Sports City has been awarded, fast-tracking a major upgrade of roads, bridges and walkways ahead of AFCON 2027.
The project promises to transform matchday movement around the stadium and leave a lasting legacy for Nairobi commuters.
Who won the contract?
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) tapped two Chinese giants, China Road and Bridge Corporation and China WU Yi Co Ltd, alongside Kenyan firm Gaps Construction and Engineering Co. Limited.
The trio were selected through the Specially Permitted Procurement Procedure (SPPP), a fast-track route designed for urgent, high-value works.
KURA’s letters dated 9 January 2026 set a 12‑month construction window followed by a 12‑month defects notification period.
What they will build
The scope reads like a blueprint for smoother crowds and safer streets:
Walkways on both sides of Ngong Road to protect pedestrians.
A dual carriageway linking Ngong Road to Cemetery Road to ease traffic flow.
A bridge at the Southern Bypass interchange and another bridge across Ngong Road.
A single carriageway and walkways from the stadium’s VIP access to the Kenya Scouts Association.
Additional single carriageways with walkways along Cemetery Road to disperse matchday traffic.
These upgrades are aimed at reducing congestion, improving pedestrian safety, and handling the surge of fans expected during AFCON.
Chinese firms and local Debate
The award underscores the continued prominence of Chinese contractors in Kenya’s transport sector. China Road and Bridge Corporation and China WU Yi bring a long resume of headline projects in the country, while local firms have often been sidelined from marquee contracts. That reality has reignited conversations about domestic participation in high-value infrastructure and how to balance speed and capacity with local industry growth.
Stakes and Timeline
Talanta Sports City; a Sh44.79 billion stadium project, is one of Kenya’s three AFCON venues.
With the stadium nearing completion, the pressure is on the three contractors to deliver the surrounding network on time. KURA’s accelerated procurement and the tight 12‑month build schedule reflect the urgency of hosting international teams and fans.
Legacy Beyond the Tournament
When finished, the new roads, bridges and walkways will do more than serve a fortnight of football. They will improve access along Ngong Road and the Southern Bypass, ease daily commutes, and anchor future development around Talanta Sports City — turning a tournament-ready precinct into a permanent urban upgrade for Nairobi.
