Ruto does push-ups before scoring a penalty against Ababu Namwamba

President William Ruto on Friday, March 1, 2024, showed his sporty side during the ground-breaking of the Talanta Sports City at Jamhuri Grounds.

The Head of State, donning a Kaunda suit, did a number of push-ups before stepping up to take a penalty against Sports CS Ababu Namwamba.

Ruto stuttered in his run-up before going back and kicking the ball, sending Ababu the wrong way, much to the delight of those in attendance.

The President said the groundbreaking was a major milestone for the country as it gears up to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are investing in sports and talent development so that our youth can monetise their skills and expertise.

“The ongoing upgrading of our facilities will turn Kenya into a global sports powerhouse and make the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations a memorable event,” said Ruto.

The 60,000-seat professional football stadium — to be completed in December 2025 — will have a standard athletics track, a standard football field and a shared rugby field.

Last month, CS Namwamba updated a Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) delegation on Kenya’s preparedness to host AFCON, a tournament that Uganda and Tanzania will also co-host.

"We are excited to be co-hosting with our brother and sister nations of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. We have assured CAF that we will certainly be ready by 2027, doing everything necessary, including refurbishing stadiums, preparing new venues, and ensuring the region is ready," he said.