- President William Ruto has announced a plan to build a modern stadium at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
- Construction will begin in September 2025.
- The plan also includes a public school and hospital on the same land.
- The grounds are a vibrant social, political, and recreational hub.
- Local leaders and residents see the area as a space for unity and community expression.
President William Ruto has confirmed that Jacaranda Grounds in Kayole will be transformed into a modern stadium starting in September 2025. He made the announcement during the launch of the Savannah–Stage 17 bridge road in Embakasi East.
The project is part of a bigger government plan to improve public facilities in Nairobi’s Eastlands. The president added that a school and hospital will also be built at the site.
“These developments are about dignity, opportunity, and inclusion for the people of Nairobi,” Ruto said.
Jacaranda Grounds holds deep meaning for many Nairobians. From hawkers and footballers to driving students and political debaters, the field is a constant buzz of life.
A resident summed it up simply:
“It never sleeps. You’ll find people here at all hours practising driving, playing, hustling, or just passing time.”
The space also hosts daily political discussions under Bunge La Wananchi. These forums are moderated by a “Speaker” and have birthed grassroots voices like Gaucho, Omosh One Hour, and Kimbi Kimbi.
Though a central tree used for public gatherings was mysteriously cut down in March 2023, the grounds remain a powerful space for civic dialogue.
Jacaranda Grounds sits between high-end estates like Jacaranda and Sosiani and informal settlements such as Soweto and Patanisho. Despite the economic gap, the field has remained a shared public space, welcoming to all.
President Ruto himself has history here, once forced to address supporters from the top of his vehicle after his rally was disrupted by youth during the 2022 campaigns.
Now, that same space is being turned into a place of promise and progress.
