Kenya has taken a major step forward in the development of football in the country. On Saturday, August 30, 2025, President William Ruto officially handed over the land title deeds to FIFA for the construction of a new national technical centre.
The technical centre will be built in Machakos, a region just outside Nairobi, and will serve as the official training hub for Kenya’s national football teams.
The project is being funded by FIFA through its FIFA Forward Programme and is expected to cost approximately USD 4.6 million.
According to the proposal, the new technical centre will include:
One natural grass pitch
Two artificial turf pitches
An administration building
Modern conference and meeting rooms
This facility will be Kenya’s first-ever national football development centre and is aimed at providing top-level training grounds and support infrastructure for the country’s football talent.
The official handover ceremony took place at State House Nairobi during a special visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in Kenya to attend the 2024 CHAN (African Nations Championship) final between Madagascar and Morocco.
Infantino was joined by:
Patrice Motsepe, CAF President and FIFA Vice President
Mattias Grafström, FIFA Secretary General
Gelson Fernandes, Director for Africa, Member Associations
Houssine Kharja, FIFA Legend and official from FIFA’s Doha Office
“I was honoured to be welcomed by President Ruto to talk about our beautiful game,” said Infantino. “Receiving the land title marks a new chapter for Kenyan football. This technical centre will not only serve today’s national teams—it will also inspire future generations of players.”
He described the Machakos facility as a “beacon of hope” and a foundation for developing talent that can compete on the international stage.
Kenya is investing heavily in its sports infrastructure. This comes at a time when the country is preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The technical centre is expected to:
Support national team preparations for major tournaments
Provide a base for coaching, training, and talent development
Help position Kenya as a competitive football nation in Africa and beyond
The proposal will be formally presented to the FIFA Development Committee later this year for final approval before construction begins. Once approved, the project will begin under the supervision of FIFA and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The land handover marks a historic moment for Kenyan football. With strong partnerships between the government and international football bodies, the country is laying the groundwork not just for better teams, but for a stronger football future.
