By Hilda Atika
Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, has confirmed that Bukhungu International Stadium will be completed in time to host matches for the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). During his visit yesterday, the CS stated that the inspection was a follow-up on directives issued by President William Ruto. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, noting that both national and county officials were pleased with the facility’s development.
“Bukhungu Stadium will be among the venues where AFCON matches will be played. Our visit today was to assess the work done and to ensure that technical teams remain inspired to collaborate effectively. We will conduct periodic reviews from now until the project is completed on schedule,” said Mvurya.
As one of the flagship projects in Kakamega County, the CS pledged to work closely with stakeholders to realise the vision of having a world-class stadium in the Western Region. Apart from Bukhungu, the Ministry of Sports is also working on Kanduyi Stadium in Bungoma County, which is 90 per cent complete and expected to be fully fitted with 10,000 seats in the coming weeks.
Mvurya emphasised the importance of talent development in the country, stating that the ministry will continue working with county governments to nurture young athletes and help them realise their potential.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa welcomed the visit by the CS and other Ministry of Sports officials to review the progress of the Bukhungu Stadium project. He noted that the visit followed up on President Ruto’s tour of the facility on 1st January this year.
“The President’s directive to have Bukhungu completed by June 2026 remains on course, and I appreciate the work done by the contractor so far,” said Governor Barasa. He further stated that judging by the scope of work, Bukhungu is set to become one of the finest stadiums in the region. “We are focusing on developing a state-of-the-art pitch, and we are confident that the stadium will be among those accredited for AFCON 2027,” he added.
