Five modern stadiums in the pipeline

Gor Mahia Football Club fans cheer on their team during a past match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. According to the club’s secretary-general, numerous outlets in the city sell the club-branded items without the club receiving a cent. This revenue loss runs into millions. Photo/Chris Omollo  Nation Media Group

By NEVILLE OTUKI

In Summary

• The ministry invited bids from investors to carry out feasibility studies and develop a master plan for architectural designs of the proposed facilities.
• Discussions with the Treasury are ongoing on funding the projects to be undertaken jointly with private investors.
• Kenya has two national stadiums with a joint capacity of 90,000 people – Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (60,000) and Nyayo (30,000) – both in Nairobi.

Kenya plans to build five national stadiums to lift standards of sports and boost the country’s chances of hosting global events in future.

 

Sports, Culture and Arts ministry officials said the facilities to be constructed in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret and Garissa would elevate Kenya’s profile as a sporting hub.

Wednesday, the ministry invited bids from investors to carry out feasibility studies and develop a master plan for architectural designs of the proposed facilities.

“We shall construct the stadiums in phases. The aim is to create world-class facilities then bid for some major sporting events,” said Sports secretary Hassan Wario. He said that discussions with the Treasury were ongoing on funding the projects to be undertaken jointly with private investors.

The construction and maintenance of mega-sporting infrastructure requires heavy cash outlay, hence the State’s adoption of public-private partnerships model, he added.

Sports Kenya, a department in charge of sports, said inadequate capital and lack of political goodwill have slowed drive to create sporting amenities despite excellent performance in athletics, cricket and rugby.

The agency said that Kenya continues to miss out on hosting various international events due to inadequate facilities.

The features of the new stadiums, Dr Wario said, would meet global standards.

Kenya has two national stadiums with a joint capacity of 90,000 people – Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (60,000) and Nyayo (30,000) – both in Nairobi