By Rebecca Odhiambo
On the left is the poster claiming that Talanta Stadium is recruiting staff, and on the right is a screengrab of the poster shared on a group on WhatsApp
A poster making rounds on WhatsApp claims that Talanta Stadium is recruiting staff for positions in operations, security, customer service, facilities management, administration and other roles. The advert invites applicants to submit their CVs and cover letters to the Gmail address clickpointafrica@gmail.com.
The claim emerged as Talanta Stadium neared completion ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya is set to co-host.
Background
Talanta Stadium, also known as the Raila Odinga International Stadium, is Kenya’s newest national stadium and one of the country’s most ambitious sports infrastructure projects. The stadium is being constructed on approximately 105 acres at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi and will have a seating capacity of about 60,000, making it the largest football-specific stadium in Kenya upon completion.
The project traces its origin to Kenya’s successful joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. In September 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the tournament to the three East African nations under the Pamoja Bid. To meet CAF’s hosting requirements, Kenya committed to constructing a new world-class stadium alongside renovating existing facilities such as Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium.
Construction of Talanta Stadium officially commenced on March 1, 2024, when President William Ruto presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Sports through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which was tasked with overseeing its construction, with the China Road and Bridge Corporation serving as the main contractor.
The government has stated that the stadium is designed to meet both the Federation Internationale de Football Association and the Confederation of African Football standards and will serve as a long-term investment in Kenya’s sports sector beyond AFCON 2027.
The project has an estimated construction cost of approximately KSh 44.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports infrastructure projects in Kenya’s history. The Government of Kenya is funding the project through the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund and other public financing mechanisms.
The name “Talanta” is derived from the government’s Talanta Hela programme, an initiative launched to identify, nurture and commercialize talent among Kenyan youth in sports and the creative industry. The stadium is intended to become a national hub for football, athletics, entertainment and other large-scale events after its completion. Besides hosting international sporting competitions, it is expected to support talent development, create economic opportunities and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional sporting destination.
As one of the country’s flagship infrastructure projects, Talanta Stadium has attracted significant public interest, with regular updates on its construction issued by the government and widely covered by local media.
Verification
The advertisement instructs applicants to send their applications to clickpointafrica@gmail.com, a free Gmail account. However, recruitment for positions under Kenyan government ministries, departments, agencies and state-funded projects is ordinarily communicated through official government channels, including institutional email addresses using the .go.ke domain, notices published on the Public Service Commission website and verified government social media accounts. The use of a personal Gmail address rather than an official government domain is therefore a red flag and raises concerns about the authenticity of the advertisement.
Additionally, the advert does not identify the recruiting institution, provide a physical address or contact information, indicate the terms of employment, specify minimum qualifications for each position, state an application deadline or include a job reference number; details that are typically included in legitimate government recruitment notices.
To further verify the claim, Piga Firimbi submitted an application using the email address provided in the advert, where we then received an email informing us that we had “successfully qualified” for a customer service role and had been shortlisted to attend a mandatory training session at Enashipai Resort, Naivasha, scheduled for 24th and 26th July 2026.
Screenshot of the email response directing for payment of ksh 200 “training facilitation fee” to secure the opportunity
However, the email required successful applicants to pay a KSh 200 “training facilitation fee” through the mobile number 0717701581 to secure their slot. It further claimed that attendees would receive a KSh 3,500 transport refund after the training and warned that failure to pay promptly could result in the position being allocated to another candidate.
Truecaller identified the number as belonging to Sidney Chazima, rather than the Ministry of Sports, Talanta Stadium, Kenya Defence Forces or any government institution associated with the stadium project. The M-Pesa payment prompt similarly displayed the recipient’s name as Sidney Muhando, confirming that the requested payment was being directed to an individual rather than an official government or corporate account.
Screenshot of Truecaller lookup and M-Pesa payment prompt identifying the recipient of the requested KSh 200 as Sidney Chazima/ Sidney Muhando
Furthermore, legitimate government recruitment processes in Kenya do not require applicants to pay facilitation, training or interview fees as a condition for employment.
A search of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports’ official website and verified social media platforms found no announcement advertising the purported vacancies. Instead, it publicly disowned the recruitment advert, stating that it was fraudulent and advising members of the public not to submit applications, personal information or money in response to it. The ministry urged Kenyans to rely only on its official communication channels for information on employment opportunities related to Talanta Stadium.
Verdict
The Advertisement Claiming Talanta Stadium Is Recruiting Staff is FAKE.
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