Kasarani Stadium: Kenyans question planned religious event at facility two weeks after closing for renovation

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STADIA Kasarani Stadium: Kenyans question planned religious event at facility two weeks after closing for renovation

Joel Omotto 17:51 - 28.12.2023

Kenyans have expressed their disappointment over a planned religious event at Kasarani Stadium which was closed for one year two weeks ago for major renovations

Kenyans have been left wondering whether the government is serious about the renovation of Kasarani Stadium following the scheduling of a religious event at the facility this week.

Kasarani Stadium was closed for renovation this month with Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba insisting no activity of any kind will take place at the facility for the next one year.

However, according to a poster by Harrison K. Ng’ang’a interdenominational Ministries, Kasarani Stadium will host the Crossover Kesha on December 31 where faithful have been invited to usher in the new year.

This goes against Namwamba’s sentiments when closing the facility for major renovations as part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“This stadium is almost 40 years old, it has not undergone major rehabilitation for a long time and when the CAF inspection team visited, we agreed on a number on interventions and improvements that would upgrade this stadium to a level where it can meet the required international standards,” Namwamba said on December 15.

“I am pleased to announce that the contractor is ready and they will be undertaking major overhaul of this stadium. All activities of any nature will not be allowed. It will be closed while the construction goes on.”

The government had initially closed the facility after opening tenders for the improvement of the stadium, alongside Nyayo and Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino in Eldoret, in July before opening it up for events again.

Inspectors from Confederation of African Football (CAF) visited Kenya in July to check on the state of stadia in the country where they visited Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino which have been earmarked to host the tournament when Kenya stages it alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.

Kasarani and Nyayo failed the last inspection test conducted by CAF in 2021 with Sports Kenya revealing that there were a number of improvements needed on the facilities.

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