Machakos stadium lies in ruin
Eighteen months after the county government of Machakos converted Kenyatta Stadium into a Covid-19 isolation centre, the facility has gone to ruin.
The stadium that was last maintained towards the end of 2019 before Covid -19 pandemic hit in March 2020 is currently in an appalling state.
In April 2020, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua stated that the 15,000 capacity stadium was to be used to isolate those who tested positive for the virus. Presently, abandoned tents are strewn everywhere, the big one at the centre of the football pitch and smaller ones labelled Finnish Red Cross on the track.
The football pitch is overgrown with paspalum grass and anthills are starting to form in many parts of the pitch.
The fence separating the pitch and spectators’ stand are falling to the ground because the bases are being eaten by termites.
The pavilion, dressing rooms and the toilets are all covered with piles of dust and dirt with the fence surrounding the stadium being dwarfed by vegetation.
What is more appalling is the state of the tartan track that was laid down in 2017.
The blue tartan track is now in a dilapidated state and cannot in any way be used for racing events.
“Even God will not forgive us if we host any athletics event here. Clearly we don’t care about our athletes,” said national athletics coach Julius Kirwa said on Tuesday at the facility.
A total of Sh800m was splashed to upgrade the stadium for the 2013 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup with Sh50m from the county government channeled towards the tartan track.
Just last month the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the two biggest stadiums in the country from hosting international competitions.
The CAF Inspection Committee said the Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums did not meet the required standard to stage FIFA/CAF related matches, World Cup/CAF qualifiers and club competitions.
The stadium had previously hosted football matches, rugby tournaments and athletics championships.
