President Ruto unveils stadium plan for historic Jacaranda Grounds
Speaking on Thursday during a visit to Soweto, where he inspected road rehabilitation works at the Savannah–Stage 17 Bridge, Ruto said the government will break ground on the stadium project in September.
Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East will soon be the site of a modern stadium, President William Ruto has confirmed, marking a major shift for one of Nairobi’s most prominent public spaces.
Speaking on Thursday during a visit to Soweto, where he inspected road rehabilitation works at the Savannah–Stage 17 Bridge, Ruto said the government will break ground on the stadium project in September.
He added that the area will also benefit from more investments in schools, hospitals, and other public infrastructure.
“As from September this year, I will be coming back here to officially launch the stadium’s construction,” Ruto said.
Jacaranda, which occupies 31.73 acres near Jacaranda Estate, has long been known as a political hotspot, often used for rallies during general election campaigns.
In 2021, it was among six open spaces selected by the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services for conversion into recreational zones, part of a wider effort to ease congestion in Uhuru and Central Parks.
A report released in 2020 by UN-Habitat Kenya revealed that Nairobi has over 826 public spaces, including parks, gardens, and sports fields.
However, the report warned that these areas are becoming harder to access and are at risk of disappearing due to pressure from development and neglect.
The President’s announcement comes shortly after the Ministry of Defence officially handed over the revamped Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums.
The upgrades were completed to prepare for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to begin in Nairobi on August 3.
On Wednesday, Ruto inspected the renovated Kasarani Stadium and met with national football players who are training for the upcoming tournament. He said the stadium now meets the full requirements of both CAF and FIFA and reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to host CHAN 2024.
“Today, we can proudly say that we are going to host CHAN on August 3,” he said.
He assured Harambee Stars players of the government’s full support and urged them to represent the country with pride.
“We believe in you. We trust you. We believe in your capacity and potential and we will proudly cheer you to victory,” said Ruto.
