Just 46 kilometres from Nairobi, tucked away along the serene Thika-Mang’u Road, lies one of Kenya’s finest sporting facilities; a venue that could easily rival some of Africa’s best training centres.

LTN Sports visited the Mpesa Foundation Academy ahead of the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Ball Games to assess the venue’s preparedness before thousands of student-athletes descend on the facility from 2nd to 6th August 2026.

The journey itself offers a glimpse of the academy’s accessibility. Travelling along the Thika Superhighway , motorists exit at Exit 16A before a scenic 40-minute drive leads to the expansive institution. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by the impressive “Mpesa Foundation Academy” signage, accompanied by three simple but powerful words that perfectly capture the institution’s philosophy:

“Thinkers. Doers. Leaders.”

Those three words set the tone before one even steps inside.

After the routine security checks, the gates open into an expansive 88-acre campus that immediately leaves a lasting impression. Beautifully landscaped grounds, modern infrastructure and meticulously maintained sporting facilities make it clear why the academy has earned a reputation as arguably Kenya’s best all-round sports complex.

Opened in 2016, the academy was designed to provide world-class learning and sporting opportunities, and its facilities remain among the country’s finest.

For football enthusiasts, the tour begins with an enclosed synthetic football pitch that immediately stands out.

According to the facility manager, the five-acre artificial surface is heavily utilised for high-intensity training sessions, small-sided matches and various multi-sport activities. The quality of the AstroTurf remains exceptional, showing virtually no signs of wear despite regular use.

The enclosed design also allows multiple teams to train simultaneously without interruptions, making it ideal for elite football preparations.

Beyond the synthetic surface lies another impressive sight.

The academy boasts four automated natural grass pitches, each maintained to elite standards through a fully automated irrigation system. These premium playing surfaces can easily alternate between football and field hockey configurations, providing maximum flexibility for training and competition.

One feature that immediately catches the eye is the automated sprinkler system constantly keeping the natural grass in perfect condition, a rarity even among many professional sports facilities across the region.

The lush green fields resemble training grounds commonly associated with top European football academies rather than a school campus in Kenya.

“The availability of both synthetic and natural playing surfaces means several teams can train simultaneously without compromising pitch quality an invaluable asset for hosting major tournaments” says the facility Manager.

Beyond football, the academy’s sporting infrastructure caters to a wide range of disciplines. Adjacent to the football training grounds are dedicated tennis and handball courts, each enclosed with high fencing to provide a secure and professional playing environment. The quality synthetic courts are complemented by floodlights, making them suitable for training and competition throughout the day.

Their strategic location allows football, tennis and handball activities to run simultaneously, highlighting the academy’s capability to host several disciplines at the same venue. The immaculate condition of the courts further reflects the exceptional standards maintained throughout the entire facility.

The sporting excellence extends well beyond outdoor facilities.

Inside the academy sits a magnificent indoor arena equipped with neatly arranged spectator seating capable of hosting large crowds in comfort. The spacious hall provides dedicated facilities for basketball, netball and other indoor disciplines, ensuring competitions can proceed regardless of weather conditions.

The academy also features dedicated courts for tennis and squash, further highlighting its commitment to nurturing talent across multiple sporting disciplines.

Everything about the indoor complex reflects careful planning, professionalism and quality execution.

Walking through the facility, one quickly realizes why many visitors leave with the same conclusion: Kenya possesses world-class sports infrastructure; it’s simply hidden from public view.

The Mpesa Foundation Academy has all the ingredients required to successfully stage large national tournaments, multi-team football camps and high-performance training programmes simultaneously.

Its combination of elite football pitches, indoor arenas, athletics spaces and accommodation-friendly environment makes it an ideal destination for major sporting events.

With Kenya set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), facilities of this calibre are likely to become increasingly valuable. National teams searching for quiet, secure and professionally managed training bases will find few locations better suited than Mpesa Foundation Academy.

The academy already enjoys a strong football pedigree.

Over the years, several FKF Premier League clubs have utilised the facility for training camps. Most notably, record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia adopted the academy as their training base under former coach Jonathan McKinstry, a period during which K’Ogalo went on to secure back to back league titles.

That history only strengthens the academy’s growing reputation as a home for excellence.

As Kenya prepares to welcome the country’s best secondary school athletes for the 2026 KSSSA National Finals, the Mpesa Foundation Academy appears more than ready.