County officials in Elgeyo Marakwet have inspected the ongoing construction of Kamariny Stadium, the venue set to host this year’s national Mashujaa Day celebrations later this year.
Governor Wisley Rotich conducted the site visit alongside County Commissioner David Kosgei and multi-agency teams from various institutions and authorities on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The inspection was part of a preparatory meeting held to coordinate the county’s readiness for the national event.
Rotich said the team reviewed progress on the stadium to ensure it will be ready to host the occasion, which will be presided over by President William Samoei Ruto.
The leaders also agreed to hold subsequent meetings with stakeholders and residents to finalize arrangements for the October 20 celebrations.
“Let us show the nation what our people are made of; that is unity, hard work and patriotism,” Rotich said following the inspection.
Mashujaa Day is marked annually on October 20 to honor Kenya’s heroes and heroines. The government has been rotating the national celebrations among counties in recent years.
The 2025 edition was held at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, with President Ruto presiding and dedicating the day to the late Raila Odinga.
The president has increasingly hosted national public holidays outside Nairobi as part of a devolution push. He recently hosted Madaraka Day in Wajir county.
How many people will Kamariny Stadium accommodate?
The plan is a 10,000-seater facility with a standard football pitch, tartan track, changing rooms, and 1,500 VIP seats.
A second phase will add hostels for up to 400 athletes.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had previously confirmed a new contractor is on site and said the stadium should be complete by July 2026.
He announced in May that the government chose Kamariny to host this year’s Mashujaa Day, with military fly-pasts planned.
The stadium sits 2 km outside Iten, known as the “Home of Champions.” It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 and has trained athletes like David Rudisha and Mary Keitany.
Has Kamariny Stadium construction stalled?
Kamariny Stadium has been a textbook stalled project. The original contract was awarded in September 2016 for Ksh 287.8 million to build a 15,000-seat pavilion, eight-lane track, pitch, borehole, and field facilities. Works stalled in 2017 after the contractor left site.
Auditor General reports flagged it repeatedly:
- A 2022/2023 audit questioned Ksh 81.6 million paid to the contractor with no verifiable work.
- A March 2024 physical verification found only 30% of works done.
- The 2025 audit said Ksh 87.1 million of the Ksh 287.8 million contract was paid, but the contractor disappeared and the project stalled since 2017.
Kamariny is listed among 6 stadiums where Ksh 6.17 billion has been spent with little to show.
The project also drew political heat. In 2022 a fake image of a completed stadium circulated online.
Former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said in 2025 the government would not complete the stadium, arguing Kamariny is better suited for a high-altitude training facility than a stadium.
Local officials said the delay has hurt athletes. Elgeyo Marakwet County CEC Purity Koima noted over 3,000 athletes have had to train elsewhere, giving the county a “bad image”.
Leaders have repeatedly called on the national government to finish it in honor of champions like Kelvin Kiptum.
