Senate committee visits Dandora Stadium, call for it’s quick completion
By Rodgers Ndegwa
Residents of Dandora and its environs have a reason to smile after members of the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare led by the chairman Johnson Sakaja (pictured) promised the immediate opening of the stalled Dandora Stadium.
Building of the state-of-the-art facility which cost the tax-payers at least Sh350 million was scheduled to be completed by early last year but a stand-off between Nairobi County Government and Scanjet Construction Company who are the contractors of the project, led to the halt of the project over disagreement on wether to use steel or concrete to build the stands.
During the inspection visit yesterday by the committee, Sakaja lamented how the youth were not utilizing their talents to enhance their livelihood simply because of the incompleteness of the stadium.
Sakaja also promised that they will hold the contractor accountable and see that he honor’s the contract to the letter to enable the gradual opening of the stadium.
“It is sad this stadium has taken longer than anticipated. We as the law makers will use proper channels in our capacity to see that the project is completed in due time and the residents of Dandora and Nairobi get to benefit from it,” said Sakaja.
As a rejoinder, Nakuru Senator and a member of the Committee Susan Kihika stated that she was pleased that despite the 80 per cent completed project had stalled for more than a year, everything was still intact.
“We see that everything is still operational including the floodlights, hence the 20 per cent remaining will be easier to complete. Together with the chairman we will ensure that we push vigorously for the passing of the full completion of the stadium in the senate,” noted Kihika.
Meanwhile, friend of the committee nominated Senator Millicent Omanga said that it will be a big triumph if the stadium would be completed because she knows the immense talent and passion for football for the youths of Dandora.
The stadium was to be one of the four facilities meant to be constructed by the County Government in the 2017-18 financial year. The other three included the Kawangware, Ziwani and Kihumbuini grounds whose constructions are yet to take off.
The state-of-the-art facility was to be built in relation to FIFA standards with an artificial turf, a modern gymnasium and floodlights.
The stadium’s chairman Geoffrey Okoti hoped that this time round something will be done and finally the 32 teams around the area will benefit.
“The visit by the senate committee today has given us hope that our players will soon enjoy playing on the world class pitch and that their hope of one day going professional will be achieved,” said Okoti.
