Woodley Stadium’s rehabilitation by NMS sabotaged by intruders

The end of Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) operations in the capital has hit sports enthusiasts from Kibera within Lang’ata Constituency where it hurts the most.

Until when NMS was disbanded and the national government handed its operations back to Nairobi City County government, the residents were anticipating uninterrupted rehabilitation of Woodley Stadium, the prime sports facility in the neighborhood that was constructed in the pre-independence era.

NMS started the operations after its enactment including planting of grass at the hitherto dusty pitch and construction of a perimeter fence and terraces much to the appreciation of the area’s youth who use the pitch to hone their skills.

Apparently the repairs by NMS were being undertaken not necessarily to give glistening to Woodley and indeed other grounds which are in a deplorable state in Nairobi, but part of its obligations to conserve the environment.

Sadly, all these efforts appear to have gone down the drain, thanks to a local politician in cahoots with unscrupulous Nairobi County officials who intruded on the facility thus making nonsense of its rehabilitation process.

A spot check by People Daily revealed that apart from the newly constructed perimeter fence, the grass which had been planted has wasted away, so have the sprinkling pipes, which was occasioned by football still taking place despite having been officially closed for refurbishment.

Also not spared was the landscaping by NMS under the Kazi Kwa Vijana initiative as bulldozers and caterpillars descended on water points, leaving green sliced pipes on trenches in freshly dug earth.

According to Woodley’s committee members Ismail “Kiongozi” Omukoto, the initial plans by NMS were to construct a facility that would accommodate slightly more than 10,000 fans.

“Caterpillars and bulldozers were dispatched at the site and flattened all the water points after which goons in their hundreds forcefully stormed the facility after overwhelming the security and demanded that normal football activities continue,” said Omukoto.

He further revealed that NMS had even gone out of its way to improve the Joseph Kang’ethe Boys rehabilitation center which is behind the main dais.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce that Woodley and especially the playing surface has been degraded and it’s absurd that this happened without City Hall taking action,” said Omukoto.

Former Kibra nominated councilor and Kenya Football Federation (FKF) treasurer Noordinne Taib Koor urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to look into the matter since it affects the community in the area. “There was no point in hurrying the rehabilitation of Woodley since there are other alternatives like Jamhuri Showground.

“Since the upgrading should ordinarily be the onus of Nairobi County, let Sakaja know that the cost may even triple following the damage that has already been done,” said Taib.   He further said that four watering points at the stadium have been desecrated and indeed almost the entire revitalization which has put paid to KIbra being home to one of the best internationally recognized stadia.

“This is the height of impunity by some individuals who don’t have the interest of the youth at heart which is why the Governor (Sakaja) should move with speed to save Woodley Stadium from further disrepair,” said Taib.