The last stadium that Daniel Moi built

Interestingly, Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani – another sporting cathedral – stands out as the last stadium to be built in Kenya. It was constructed by the Moi administration in the run-up to the 1987 All Africa Games.

No soul under the sun can match – with precision and class – his affection and determination to build sports infrastructure in the country.

Moi died on Tuesday, leaving behind his footprints on the sports scene.

His hard work, sacrifice and love for sports makes him stand out among many other souls. He is among the few leaders on the globe to have spearheaded development of sports infrastructure.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and King Baudouin, the former king of Belgium, fits Moi's bill.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium -- a 46,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape in South Africa -- is named for the anti-apartheid icon while the 50,000-seater King Baudouin Stadium, which hosts the Memorial Van Damme track and field meeting, the final leg of the World Athletics Diamond League in Brussels is named for the Belgian leader.

It's worth noting that when Kenya presented bids to host the World Under-18 Athletics Championships (2017) and World Under-20 Athletics Championships (2020), the name Moi and his philosophy 'Nyayo' featured prominently. 

Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium were presented as venues.

Thirty three years on, no other leader comes close to building sports facilities as Moi did.

The Jubilee government promised to build half a dozen stadiums when it ascended to power in 2013. But there has been little to show for it.

When he took over power in 1978, Nairobi had only one facility, the Nairobi City Stadium.

The building of Nyayo Stadium in 1983 was to change the face of Kenya's sports infrastructure.

“Moi’s vision was to see Kenya become a sporting superpower in the world,” former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgei once said.

Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani hosted the fourth All Africa Games (now African Games) in 1987.

When Kenya won the hosting rights, President Moi came up with a plan to build a sporting complex. “I want to see Kenya hosting bigger events. The All Africa games is clear testimony of my government's mission to make Kenya a sporting superpower,” said Moi when he presided over the opening ceremony of the Pan African games on August 1, 1987.

The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani was constructed in 1987 in partnership with the Chinese Government.

Kenya had been invited to bid for the hosting of African games, which were to be held in the late 80s. On submitting the bid, Kenya won.

Kenya then entered into a bilateral agreement with the Chinese government to build a stadium that would comfortably host the multi-sport showpiece. The stadium was set to attain international standards and stand out as one of the best in Africa.

The African Games spectators filled the 60,000 seater Moi International Sports Stadium to the rafters.

But the standards of Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums have continued to wane.

Nyayo Stadium remains closed for the third year running, with only national holiday celebrations held at the facility.

When Moi took over, Kenya had facilities that could not host any international competition.

The City Stadium, built by the colonial government, could only accommodate 10,000 football fans.

There were no facilities to host indoor games like basketball and volleyball. Potential swimmers and tennis ball players had to resort to private facilities to access playing courts.

In 1981, Moi came up with the plan to build the Nyayo National Stadium.

“My government will create opportunity for sports to thrive,” Moi said during the ground-breaking of the stadium.

"From here, great athletes will be born,” he added.

Moi has been described politically as a giraffe, an animal with a long neck that sees far. And the maxim has no doubt come to pass.

Since he made the declaration while opening the Nyayo National Stadium, great stars have been born.

Eliud Kipchoge, the world marathon record holder and who is described as the greatest marathoner of all time, started competing at Nyayo Stadium while a teenager.

“Nyayo gave us an opportunity to compete on international standard facilities,” said Kipchoge.

But if Nyayo gave Kenyan sportsmen an opportunity to play in quality facilities, the building of the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani was a different ball game.

“Moi had a great vision for this stadium. We could be hosting some major events,” Sam Mwai, the former chief executive officer of the Sports Stadia said.

“But to appreciate, we have a great facility here,” he added.

Kasarani is one of the best stadiums in Africa. “I am a product of competitions at Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums,” said Paul Tergat, former marathon record holder and now president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock).

“I doubt if we would be at this level in our sports if we did not have these facilities. The greatest Kenyan Olympians have been nurtured at Kasarani,” said Tergat.

Noordin Taib Koor, a football talent developer, says Kenya would not have been where it is today were it not for Moi.

“Because of Moi, we hosted the All Africa Games and several other top international competitions,” he said.

“But beyond that, we have developed great footballers at Nyayo and Kasarani. Moi transformed the Kenyan sport so well.

“Moi’s legacy in sports infrastructure is there to be seen and enjoyed for years to come,” said Sam Nyamweya, former Football Kenya Federation President.