Sports Kenya again Accused of Laxity in Stadiums Management

Time and again, Kenya has spent millions of tax payers’ money to renovate stadiums and other sports facilities in Kenya. However, Sports Kenya, the statutory body that is tasked with ensuring that these stadiums are well maintained, has often slept on the job. The board neglects the stadiums and soon after the renovations, these stadiums are dilapidated again. Kasarani Stadium is a case in study. The stadium gobbled up hundreds of millions in fresh renovations which gave it a new look and an international status ahead of the 2025 CHAN tournament. Fast forward, the stadium's playing turf is today unplayable, it has been neglected again and now, they have a rush again and work on it to please CAF inspectors. Perharps, President William Ruto should be advised to re appoint former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba back to the Ministry of Youth, Creative Economy and Sports as the current Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda proved his passion for the development and maintenance of stadiums with initiating the construction of Talanta Stadium as well as great renovation works on Nyayo stadium. The current Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, should take a bold step and disband the entire board of Sports Kenya and replace it with a professional body which will prioritize the stadiums in Kenya. Over the years, Sports Kenya has preferred to hire the stadiums, especially Nyayo and Kasarani for concerts, political rallies and religious meetings. These non-sporting activities leave the grass trodden and vital stadium amenities destroyed. Sports Kenya then lets a football team to host a match at the stadium and then blame the team's fans for the destruction. Sports Kenya should rise up to the occasion, before they are disbanded, to ensure that Kenya's stadiums are well maintained at all times and not just kneejerk renovations during crisis.