Row emerges over Kisumu Moi Stadium
A file picture of Kisumu municipal stadium before its renovation commenced. Kisumu County government has been put on the spot over the delayed completion of renovation work at Moi Stadium three months after an artificial turf was laid. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- The turf, which is estimated to have cost more than Sh50 million, now lies idle with garbage piling over the edge of the facility’s parameter wall.
- Winam Branch chairman Dismas Ogola decried the County government’s reluctance in putting up terraces and clearing the mound of garbage outside the stadium.
- Ogola called upon Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma’s intervention on the matter. He further lamented that the County, through its sports department, had allowed illegally erection of structures within the stadium’s precincts.
Kisumu County government has been put on the spot over the delayed completion of renovation work at Moi Stadium three months after an artificial turf was laid.
The turf, which is estimated to have cost more than Sh50 million, now lies idle with garbage piling over the edge of the facility’s parameter wall.
During a tour of the facility yesterday, Gor Mahia fans in the lake region challenged the County government to hasten works at the facility to make it possible to host some Kenyan Premier League matches.
Winam Branch chairman Dismas Ogola decried the County government’s reluctance in putting up terraces and clearing the mound of garbage outside the stadium.
“We don’t understand if the stadium was renovated to be closed or to be used. Work on the terraces, washrooms and other facilities is still incomplete,” Ogola said.
Ogola called upon Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma’s intervention on the matter.
LAND GRABBED
He further lamented that the County, through its sports department, had allowed illegally erection of structures within the stadium’s precincts.
“For this stadium to be considered of international standards, it must have all the required facilities in place. Also the parcels of land that have been grabbed must be recovered,” Ogola said.
Since handover the county since has done very over of the pitch has done very little, having lost the bid to host Cecafa games at the pitch
But the County government in its part maintains that the facility is ready for use in its present state.
Governor Ranguma said the Kachok dumpsite which is adjacent to the stadium will soon be relocated once a suitable location is identified.
He said plans were already underway to have some league matches played at the venue.
“We are looking to host some matches at the venue soon. We are already in talks with KPL to have some matches played at the stadium,” Ranguma told Daily Nation Sport yesterday.
Greenfields project manager, Lex Vandergrefe, when handing over the stadium to the county in February, said other than the incomplete terraces the stadium was ready for use.
“It is now the responsibility of the County Government to take care of this facility. We are going to train two people who will do the maintenance,” Vandergrefe said at the time.
“The houses in question were allocated by the former Municipal Council and we want the county government through the city to deal with their illegal presence around the stadium,” he added.
“The houses in question were allocated by the former Municipal Council and we want the county government through the city to deal with their illegal presence around the stadium,” he added.
