Ghosts of stalling stadiums continue to haunt athletes

A worker doing final touches at Nyayo Stadium on January 12, 2025 ahead of CHAN draw. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The construction of the Biblical Temple of Jerusalem, an architectural masterpiece of the olden days, took 46 years to complete.

There are fears that the upgrading of some Kenyan stadia to meet international standards might shatter the Jerusalem Temple record, if not much is done to complete them within stipulated schedules.

The ghosts of stalling stadiums continue to tenaciously linger around the country and causing fears among talents.

One promise after another, the adrenaline rush to complete renovation of stadiums whenever international events approach and direction of fury towards contractors have become the norm as construction of facilities stalls.

Save for Moi Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, which have been renovated quickly for the African Nations Championship that kicks off in February, the country is still dotted with eyesores.

Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), just like Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, which hosted the 2023 AFCON, are sights to behold.

Kenya, on the other hand, has pledged to complete the two stadiums on time for the February 1-28 Chan tournament.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said erecting floodlights was the only remaining exercise at Nyayo.

“We are satisfied that we are on course and I am confident that Nyayo will be ready by Wednesday during the draw,” the Sports CS said.

“The next major thing left for Nyayo Stadium is the floodlights. The other important exercise is cleanliness in and around the stadium. We are also fixing the floodlights in Kasarani. We should be done by Wednesday. There should be no cause for alarm about the preparations of the pitch and our readiness to host Chan.”

Kasarani was constructed in 1987 for the All African Games and is set to meet international standards 36 years later.

Kipchoge Keino Stadium which is set to be brought down following poor workmanship in Elsoret Uasin Gishu County. January 12, 2025. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Once again, the iconic Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which has stalled for over a year after it was handed over to the Kenya Defence Forces in September 2023, is set for another fresh start.

Talanta Stadium in Nairobi, a new football facility established for the 2027 Afcon, is still work in progress, according to the Ministry of Sports.

But the stadiums outside Nairobi are still in sorry states, with upgrades in a number of the facilities progressing in the slowest paces.

President William Ruto handed over Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium to Chinese contractor, Synohydro Construction Company.

Renovations at the stadium named after legendary Kipchoge Keino, a Kenyan pioneer Olympic gold medallist, remain incomplete since 2012.

Sources say sections of the stadium have been earmarked for demolition after poor workmanship.

In September 2023 when it was handed over to the military, sections of the terraces at Kipchoge Keino Stadium were complete after a round-the-clock upgrade ahead of a Devolution Conference hosted in the City of Champions that year.

But under the new contract, sources said, several sections will be demolished if the terraces built by different contractors at diverse times dovetail for roofing.

By Friday, the new contractor had marked sections of terraces set for collapsing for fresh construction.

Kipchoge Keino is among stadiums that are set to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) and Kenya will be in another tough race to meet deadlines.

Workers working on grass at Nyayo Stadium on January 12, 2025 ahead of CHAN draw. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kamariny Stadium in Iten, the Mecca of global athletics, is now a new grazing field.

The contract was terminated in 2020 after the contractor constantly ran behind schedule since 2016.

In January 2024, while in Iten, President Ruto promised to immediately commence the completion of the stalled stadium which was demolished nine years ago for an upgrade to international standards.

Last December, the president expressed displeasure with the progress of Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium.

He gave the contractor up to June 2026 to complete the facility which was poised to host Chan before it ran behind schedule.

"We decided to support this project because we wanted to use it for Chan, but when the Caf team came to access, they told us that there was no way this project was going to be available by February. Chan is next month," Ruto said during a tour of the stadium.

The Bukhungu Stadium contractor promised to complete the project in April.

"I am told you are a notorious contractor... have you said April? So even if we give you an extension of a month or two, this stadium must be completed by June 2026. You have sabotaged the people of Kakamega. The people of Kakamega must be able to use their stadium. My friend, have we agreed?" the President told the contractor.

Ruring’u in Nyeri, Wote in Makueni, Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu and Marsabit are among stadiums that were billed to meet required standards by 2017, but are struggling to reach completion.

Amidst the stalling, the government is already kicking off an ambitious Sh1.7 billion construction of 37 pilot Constituency Sports Academies across the country.

Some of the constituencies where the sport facilities will be built include Mwala, Bomet East, Ugenya, Nandi Hills, Teso South, Keiyo North, Kiharu, Suba South, Mogotio, Turbo, Kasarani, Aldai, Marakwet West, Ikolomani, Budalangi, Ikolomani, Hamisi, Yatta, Kabuchai, and Nambale.

Bhukungu Stadium state in 2025, two years after closure for completion of face two. [Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

Matungulu, Webuye West, Mwingi West, Thika Town, Isiolo Town, Embakasi Central, Kitui East, Keiyo South, Moyale, Turkana North, Turbaj, Marakwet East, Kabete, Mandera, and Kandara constituencies are also in the pilot phase.

“The ambitious plan includes building the Talanta Sports Complex (Jamhuri, Nairobi) and extensive renovations of Nyayo Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium,” the Cabinet dispatch read in part.

“The Renovation efforts for Kasarani, Nyayo, and Kipchoge Keino Stadia will include pitch rehabilitation, enhanced facilities, ICT infrastructure and canopy installation.”

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) had set strict requirements for a country to host Afcon.

Among the requirements is that a host nation must have at least three training grounds near match venues that meet Caf-set standards.

Caf  also stated that all stadiums hosting its events must have turnstiles at all gates as well as CCTV monitors.

Kenya is in a race to deliver stadiums that meet Caf and international standards as it prepares to host 2027 Afcon alongside Uganda and Tanzania after the East African nations won the Pamoja bid last year.

“The administration’s signature project under this initiative will be the Talanta Sports Complex; a 60,000-seater football stadium featuring ample parking, world-class training pitches, an arena, and a dedicated public transport terminus,” the government's topmost decision-making organ said then.