Boost For Shabana as William Ruto Reveals Plans to Expand Gusii Stadium to 'International Standards'

President William Ruto has announced plans to renovate and elevate Kisii County's Gusii Stadium to meet international standards, providing a significant boost for local clubs, including Gusii FC and Shabana.

Speaking in Kisii on Saturday, November 22, 2025, the President acknowledged that the current facility is inadequate for a team of Shabana's stature in the Football Kenya Premier League and requires substantial improvements.

To facilitate the expansion, President Ruto revealed that the government intends to relocate the adjacent Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) offices, which currently occupy a five-acre plot.

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"I have discussed this stadium with your leaders. It is not befitting the stature of Kisii," he stated as reported by People Daily. "This county has a team with a massive following in Shabana."

The President confirmed that a contractor is ready to begin the project as soon as the county administration finalizes the ASK land transfer.

"We have been in communication with the county and the people at ASK... to enable us to expand this facility to international levels," Ruto explained. "We have pleaded with them to move so that we can expand this stadium to a national stadium where we can host international matches."

This commitment follows a previous promise made by the President in August to gift Shabana FC a brand-new, modern team bus. The club's Secretary General, Elizaphan Kerama, confirmed the donation in a statement on August 15, 2025, as the team, coached by Peter Okidi, prepared for the new season.

In their statement, the club expressed deep gratitude for the gesture, viewing it as a sign of the President's belief in one of Kenya's most passionately supported football clubs.

"On behalf of the entire Shabana family, our players, technical bench, management, and our millions of passionate fans, we extend our heartfelt THANK YOU to H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto... for graciously accepting to gift us a brand new modern team bus," the club said.

Under his Presidency, Ruto has prioritized the modernization and expansion of Kenya’s sports infrastructure, spearheading the construction of a brand‑new Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi.

 The 60,000‑seat venue, being built at the Jamhuri Grounds, is being funded via a KSh 44.79 billion infrastructure bond and constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. 

When completed, it will be the country’s largest purpose-built stadium since Kasarani and a flagship venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya is co-hosting.

In addition to the Talanta project, Ruto’s administration has also refurbished existing national stadiums. Under his watch, renovations were made to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, with the Ministry of Defence supervising the upgrades. 

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ready Kenya’s major sporting venues for upcoming regional competitions and to restore them to international standards. 

Beyond the capital, Ruto is pushing for decentralized sports development by announcing plans to build or renovate 25 new stadiums across Kenya ahead of AFCON 202, and Gusii may be one of those grounds proposed for expansion.. 

He also reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sport by directing resources toward smaller county facilities, such as the Kitui stadium, which is being built with a KSh 750 million government investment to provide young athletes with modern training grounds.