KPL-bound Zoo FC urge county govt to upgrade stadium

Zoo Kericho FC Chairman Ken Ochieng has urged the region’s County government to begin upgrade work at its home stadium in the wake of the news the club has been promoted to top flight.

On Friday, as the news that the joint meeting between Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had approved the 18-team league format filtered through to the heart of the county’s headquarters, fans poured on to the streets in celebration.

For them, together with county officials who have long supported the community based club, the decision to finally adopt an expanded league as championed by federation President Nick Mwendwa was long overdue.

“We are asking the County administration to move with speed and upgrade the stadium as it has promised, failure to do so, our home fixtures could be played in the nearby stadia that are up to the standards.

“Our main concern is the erecting of perimeter wall as soon as possible for security reasons. There are also no dressing rooms at the current stadium and we need to be addressed like yesterday,” Ochieng told Citizen Digital.

Team Manager Ibrahim Muganda spoke fondly of the team’s persistent struggles to break into the KPL saying their long journey had been challenging yet now fulfilling.

“Despite some financial challenges, we are prepared to play in the top league because we have talented players in the squad. We are optimistic of performing very well in the KPL. We are also appealing to the well-wishers, companies and the county to sponsor the club,” Muganda said.

Football lovers who accompanied the team to the county government offices added their voices in requesting that the Kericho Green Stadium be given a facelift.

During the 2015/16 financial year, the Kericho County allocated KSh3.6m towards the stadium’s repairs although such has yet to be begun.

Along with Nakumatt FC, Zoo were earned KPL promotion following the relegation of Thika United, Sofapaka FC and Muhoroni Youth after the trio failed to beat the deadline set by FKF to comply to the Caf licensing requirements.

-Report by Kimutai Kering.