Chinese Firms, Kenyan Company Secure Ksh 3.9 Billion Talanta Sports City Roads Deal Ahead of AFCON 2027

Two Chinese contractors alongside a Kenyan construction firm have been awarded a Ksh 3.9 billion contract to upgrade roads and related infrastructure around Talanta Sports City Stadium as preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) gather pace.

The multi-billion-shilling project will see the construction of walkways, single carriageways, and footbridges designed to enhance accessibility and traffic circulation around the stadium. Kenya is set to co-host the 2027 AFCON tournament with neighboring Uganda and Tanzania, prompting a series of infrastructure upgrades to meet continental standards.

The planned improvements are expected to streamline vehicle movement and provide safer pedestrian access, particularly during the tournament when large crowds of fans and officials are anticipated.

Firms Selected for the Strategic Roads Project

According to a report by Business Daily, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) awarded the contract to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China WU Yi Co. Ltd, and Kenya’s Gaps Construction and Engineering Co. Limited.

KURA utilized the Specially Permitted Procurement Procedure (SPPP) to allocate the tender. This fast-track procurement mechanism is typically applied to urgent and high-value national projects, allowing the government to bypass the conventional competitive bidding process in order to meet tight timelines.

In letters dated January 9, 2026, KURA notified the three companies that the works are scheduled to run for 12 months, after which a further 12-month defects liability period will follow.

In its communication to China Road and Bridge Corporation, the authority indicated that the firm had been recognized among approved contractors with the technical and financial capacity to deliver the strategic infrastructure works within the required timeframe.

Scope of Work Around Talanta Sports City

The project will involve the construction of pedestrian walkways on both sides of Ngong Road, as well as the development of a dual carriageway connecting Ngong Road to Cemetery Road. Plans also include building a bridge at the Southern Bypass interchange and another bridge spanning Ngong Road.

Additional works will cover a single carriageway and walkways stretching from the VIP entrance of Talanta Sports Complex to the Kenya Scouts Association premises. Further improvements along Cemetery Road will include new single carriageways complemented by pedestrian walkways.

These upgrades are intended to reduce traffic congestion in the busy Ngong Road corridor, boost pedestrian safety, and accommodate the significant influx of spectators expected during AFCON 2027.

Chinese Firms Maintain Strong Presence in Infrastructure Sector

The awarding of the contract further underscores the prominent role Chinese construction companies continue to play in Kenya’s infrastructure landscape.

China Road and Bridge Corporation has previously executed major transport projects in the country, including the Mombasa–Nairobi–Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the Nairobi Expressway, and the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway expansion.

Similarly, China WU Yi Co. Ltd has been involved in high-profile developments such as the Bomas International Convention Centre and was part of the consortium behind the Thika Superhighway project.

Despite the dominance of foreign firms in large-scale infrastructure works, Kenyan contractors have often been limited to smaller assignments. This trend has fueled ongoing debate about the level of local participation in mega public projects and the need to strengthen domestic capacity in the construction industry.

Talanta Sports City and AFCON 2027 Preparations

The Ksh 44.79 billion Talanta Sports City Stadium is among three venues selected to host matches during AFCON 2027. The others are Moi International Sports Centre and Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

As construction of the stadium nears completion, attention has shifted to supporting infrastructure, particularly road networks and pedestrian facilities surrounding the complex. The timely delivery of these upgrades will be critical to ensuring the smooth hosting of international teams, officials, and thousands of fans.

The Talanta Sports City roads initiative forms part of Kenya’s broader infrastructure expansion strategy tied to AFCON 2027. Beyond the tournament, the improved road systems and bridges are expected to provide lasting benefits to Nairobi residents by easing congestion and enhancing connectivity along Ngong Road and the Southern Bypass corridor.

Once completed, the project will not only support a successful continental tournament but also leave behind a strengthened urban transport network for the capital.