It is now a matter of when and not if Kenya’s stadiums will attain international standards if Sports CSÂ Ababu Namwamba‘s words are anything to go by.
The CS paid a visit to the stadium in Eldoret on Tuesday 19 September, this time handing it over to the military to spearhead its speedy completion and refurbishment.
Namwamba last visited the site on June 20 when he assured that major construction works would commence. The works then began on a higher notch, and during the devolution conference held in Eldoret from August 15-19, there was noticeable progress.
Despite still being far from completion, the stadium is appealing to the eye.
According to CS Namwamba, his long term dream was to transform the stadium to match its iconic name. The stadium is named after legendary Kenyan athlete Kipchoge Keino who retired years back.
“We are here to transform this stadium to match the name Kipchoge Keino. Only a few months ago we came here, and we left quite annoyed. This pitch looked like a cattle feeding ground. It even looked highly doubtful whether this place would be ready for the devolution conference but I am glad that we put our mind to it and we did it. Today we can walk on a beautiful, green pitch. We managed to push the pavilion and terrace spaces to host more guests in this city,” the CS noted.
The CS started the day in Nairobi, unveiling a sports and acts infrastructure master plan that noted the country’s future in terms of sports and art facilities. He then headed to the 110 hectares Jamhuri Grounds where the ministry is set to build a brand new stadium; Talanta Stadium.
They would then head to the Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums which have all been earmarked for international standards before now landing in Eldoret.
Namwamba noted that Kipchoge Keino was the first stadium outside Nairobi to be upgraded to international standards.
“We have been unveiling our sports and acts infrastructure masterplan, the best one put together. It has set targets on where we want to see Kenya in terms of sports and facilities, and tells us what we want at each level. We started this journey by unveiling four international level projects. We started at the 110 hectares Jamhuri Grounds where we are constructing a spanking new stadium styled as Talanta Stadium which is going to be Kenya’s first new stadium since the late Daniel Torotich Arap Moi constructed Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia. We then went to Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia and now we are here,” he said.
“Kipchoge Keino Stadium becomes the first stadium outside Nairobi to be designated for upgrading to international stadium.When you look at the designs and projections that have been made, it is truly going to be international. We will retain the super structure that already exists, but we are going to revolutionize the paddings around it, including an all-round canopy, international standard lighting, meaning that we can have not only big league matches, but also concerts,” the CS added.
He further pointed out that the country was upgrading its facilities in preparation to bid for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), noting that they would be ready by 2025. Kenya teamed up with neighbors Tanzania and Uganda in the plan dubbed the ‘Pamoja’ bid to bring the coveted continental showpiece to the East African region for the first time in history.
“All this is being done in the context of our bid for the Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya has joined Uganda and Tanzania to put before the CAAF the East Africa Pamoja bid and on Thursday next week, CAF will vote to determine who gets the rights to host AFCON 2027. We are telling CAF that Kenya is ready. By 2025, all these facilities (Nyayo, Kasarani, Talanta, Kipchoge Stadium) will be ready,” he offered.
He further noted that the stadium will receive major facelifts like changing the tartan track to the modern ‘Mondo’. Only Kasarani Stadium has the Mondo tartan in Kenya.
