Houses demolished as Kenyatta Stadium, Kitale set for facelift to FIFA and World Athletics standards

© Trans Nzoia County Government

GENERAL Houses demolished as Kenyatta Stadium, Kitale set for facelift to FIFA and World Athletics standards

Festus Chuma 16:05 - 18.04.2023

The land grabbers had been frustrating efforts to upgrade the stadium to a state-of-the-art facility.

The County Government of Trans Nzoia has reclaimed more than 10 acres of land grabbed by private developers in Kitale town to pave way for the expansion of Kenyatta Stadium.

The grabbers had received an eviction notice from the county authorities over four years ago but defied the orders to vacate the land meant for recreation facilities.

Earth movers brought down several high-end houses on Tuesday morning in an exercise witnessed by the county's Lands Chief Executive Officer, Janerose Mutama.

She noted that several families had left the land voluntarily after the latest eviction notice elapsed.

However, her administration had no choice but to demolish the remaining houses, which would enable the construction of the stadium, promoting sports activities in the county, especially among the youth.

"We have been here several times and had requested the persons who had encroached into the stadium land to vacate, but none of them came forward. That's why we have resolved to evict them forcefully," she said.

Kenyatta Stadium had been neglected for years by some football teams which resorted to host their games at the privately owned Ndura Sports Complex.

Renovations of the stadium began in February, and the project's first phase is estimated to cost Ksh657 million.

Part of the money will be used to lay a pitch with the recommended FIFA standards and a 400 meters track for athletics that meets the World Athletics standards.

The project is estimated to take 18 months, and at its completion, the stadium will have VIP terraces, fans' terraces, and roofing, changing rooms, offices, and indoor games rooms.

Kenyatta Stadium, built in 1958, was once famous for football in the region and has been acting as a training ground for several teams, including FKF Women's Premier League side Trans Nzoia Falcons.

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