The Kenyan government has assured Thika traders that their businesses will not be demolished during the construction of the new Ksh850 million Thika Stadium, easing fears sparked by past demolitions elsewhere.

• Sports CS Salim Mvurya confirmed that the 10,000-seater stadium project is designed to uplift the community, not displace them.
• The project is part of a wider national investment in sports infrastructure, aiming to create jobs and nurture talent, with completion expected in less than a year.
• The upgraded facility will feature an 8-lane running track, a standard football pitch, and a VVIP pavilion, intended to be a training venue for AFCON 2027 teams.