KDF to aid in renovation of Ruring'u Stadium

For nearly seven years, Ruring'u Stadium in Nyeri has stood as a monument to delays, broken promises, and frustration.

Once envisioned as a game-changer for local sports, the facility remains unfinished despite numerous government assurances. Six different Cabinet Secretaries have overseen its slow progress, each leaving without delivering the long-awaited completion.

On his first visit to the site on Thursday, Sports CS Salim Mvurya expected to see the 75 per cent completion he had been briefed about the day before. Instead, his reaction was blunt: "Nothing," he declared, dismissing claims that the stadium was anywhere near that level of progress.

In a bid to accelerate construction, Mvurya has brought in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to assist the contractor and ensure the project moves forward—this time with military precision. Work is set to resume next week, just ahead of an expected visit by President William Ruto for a development tour.

Mvurya announced that the project is getting a fresh start with a revised design and expanded scope. The stadium will now feature additional terraces, a larger parking area, and even a studio for youth.

"We have decided to have prototype stadiums across the country. For Ruring'u, it will be a 15,000-seater, and that means there will be a lot of modification on the original design so that we have quality," he stated.

Despite the extended timeline, the CS pledged that the stadium will be completed within eight to twelve months. The original Sh480 million budget has now ballooned to an estimated Sh800 million due to the new modifications.

Mvurya emphasized the role of the KDF in ensuring the project stays on track:

"We are also working together with KDF, who will be working with Sports Kenya to look at the design. We will be coming here frequently to monitor so that this Ruring'u story can be put to rest."

The project has already seen three different contractors come and go, mostly due to financial delays. However, despite public concerns, the CS denied allegations of misused funds, stating:

"We are not coming here to say we are demolishing everything, but we are modifying."

Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge has been vocal about his frustration, calling Ruring'u Stadium "an icon of shame." He welcomed the involvement of the KDF, saying their expertise ensures efficiency and quality.

"The looping in of the KDF is a major boost towards this project, and it gives us hope. Their involvement is a guarantee of precision and quality. The improvement from a 2,000-seater to a 15,000-seater comes with quite a bit of cost and needs better management," he said.

However, more taxpayer money will be spent replacing the red athletics tartan laid three years ago, as government officials revealed it was the wrong type for the region. The plan is to install a prefabricated system, similar to the one at Kasarani Stadium.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga partly blamed the delays on the frequent turnover of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries handling the project. He urged President Ruto to allow Mvurya to see the project through.

"As a county, it got to a point where we almost gave up. Mine is to request those people who come to build on what is there and not demolish everything."

However, he also hinted at possible political motives behind the sudden urgency.

"I am also hoping that the pending visit of the President in the region is not what has provoked this visit. Even if the President comes and goes, let this work continue for the people of this country. This is a historical piece, both politically and in the sports world."

The stadium’s story began in June 2017, when then-President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the project with a six-month completion promise. Since then, construction has been plagued by stalled works, funding issues, and shifting leadership.

Over the years, government officials have conducted more than ten inspection visits, each filled with directives, photo ops, and promises—but little tangible progress. The latest visit, led by Mvurya and Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, was no different, as junior officers scrambled to take notes and capture images.

Now, with the KDF on board and a revamped plan in place, the question remains: Will Ruring'u finally rise, or will this be just another chapter in its long saga of delays?