It’s now time for facelift at City Stadium
The national government yesterday reclaimed the City Stadium from the Nairobi County and took over the rehabilitation of the facility which has been shut since 2015.
Government’s action follows a directive from President Uhuru Kenyatta that the stadium to be upgraded to international standards to be able to supplement Kasarani and Nyayo.
The renovation of the facility will include the replacement of the astroturf which is currently in a bad shape, redoing the running tracks as well as construction of terraces and changing rooms.
The areas to be worked on will be a VIP lounge which will be new, the refurbishment of washrooms, new flood lights and a squash court.
Also to be erected is a new perimeter wall for enhanced security. There is also a proposal for a gymnasium with rooms for indoor games.
The same contractor who has been working at the Nyayo National Stadium is the same one who has been mandated to do the job.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko while handing over the facility to Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo yesterday said the county government was pleased with the rehabilitation so far effected by his office had done saying handing it over will fast track the process to ensure the facility attains the required standards.
“As you can see, renovations have already started. We hand over knowing the national government will pick up from where we left and give this facility a new face that will enable sports to return,” said Sonko.
Okodo said the government will have consultations and work on the budget that will see the oldest stadium in Nairobi given fresh life in the in the coming few months.
“We are following the President’s directive seriously, as soon as the MOU is signed, work will commence immediately which will take six months to one year,” said Okodo who was flanked by his CAS Noor Hassan Noor, Sports Kenya chairman Fred Muteti and Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei among others.
