President William Ruto has announced a Ksh900 million government investment to construct a new international-standard stadium in Busia County, a move aimed at transforming sports infrastructure and nurturing athletic talent in Western Kenya.
Speaking during a public rally in Funyula, President Ruto said the proposed Busia International Stadium will complement the flagship Talanta Hela Stadium project in Nairobi, which is currently under construction. He noted that both projects form part of his administration’s broader plan to promote sports, empower youth, and enhance social development across the country.
“Busia has a rich sporting culture, and our young people here love football. The new stadium will give them a modern space to train, compete, and shine,” President Ruto told the cheering crowd.
The Head of State explained that the Busia Stadium will be designed to meet international standards, enabling it to host major sports tournaments, athletic events, cultural festivals, and concerts.
“I am building one of the largest stadiums in East Africa in Nairobi — the Talanta Hela Stadium. But it would not make sense without similar facilities in the counties. That is why we have allocated Ksh900 million for an international stadium here in Busia,” he said.
President Ruto emphasised that sports development is central to his government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), adding that the new facilities will provide more opportunities for young Kenyans to earn livelihoods through sports and the creative economy.
“We want to build a nation where talent is rewarded where every young person can turn their skill into a source of income,” he added.
Residents of Busia County lauded the announcement, describing it as a game-changer for local youth and the regional economy. Many expressed optimism that the project would boost sports tourism, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of athletes.
Once completed, the Busia Stadium is expected to join Kenya’s growing list of modern sporting venues and strengthen the country’s bid to host major continental and global events.
