Headache for Gor as government shuts down Kasarani indefinitely

The newly-refurbished Kasarani stadium has been shut down, the Government announced on Monday, causing anxiety ahead of the Wednesday CAF Confederations Cup match between Gor Mahia and Algeria’s USM Algers, that was set for the venue.

Sports Kenya, in a statement said in consultation with the ministry of Sport and Heritage, had decided to shut down the football arena “until further notice” after fans “destroyed seats and other properties in and outside the stadium” during Sunday’s friendly match between Gor and English Championship side Hull City.

“The ministry will constitute a team comprising of relevant stakeholders to analyse the happenings and come up with appropriate measures to avoid such instances in future,” said the statement signed by Sports Kenya’s acting director general Saima Ondimu.

The inspectors had already toured the stadium and all the plans completed for the Group ‘D’ match, and the move would put the teams in a mess shifting focus to the only other alternative, the ragged Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The main challenge, apart from the bumpy Kenyatta Stadium pitch, would be proper lighting as the match is scheduled for 7:00pm local time (+3GMT).

Sports PS Peter Kaberia condemned the ugly incidences of vandalising the stadium, noting they were regrettable.

“The hooliganism act was disappointing. The former Prime Minister (Raila Odinga) walked out in disgust when the fans were uprooting seats,” said Kaberia, when he made an appearance at the Royal Media Services offices on Monday morning.