Ksh.800m for Kenyatta stadium as CAF inspection looms

The renovation of Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium is set to kickoff proper on Tuesday, in readiness for the Total 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN), after official handover of the facility to Sports Kenya by the County Government on Monday.

Machakos County Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, Sports Kenya officials and the contractor toured the stadium in the event, announcing collaboration that seeks to fast track the renovation toil with CAF inspectors expected in the country on September 7.

According to Sports Kenya Chairman Fred Muteti, the government has set aside Ksh.800m for the work, projected to take three months.

“The work begins tomorrow (Tuesday). We have limited time to do this but we are confident that we will make it. A budget of Ksh.800m set aside will be enough to facelift this facility into international standards, at least as required by CAF,” told Mutua.

On his part, Dr. Mutua assured his government will offer maximum cooperation to the stakeholders involved to ensure the stadium is ready in time for CHAN.

“The County government has teamed up with Sports Kenya so that we can change this stadium according to the standards demanded by CAF for the CHAN competition.

“The facility is a great investment to the people of Machakos and Kenya at large, hence the partnership is a godsend at such a time considering our sports agenda,” told Mutua.

The Governor also urged the contractor, Sam Mwaniki, to ensure he puts adequate workmanship to guarantee the three-month target is realised.

He said some of the material and grass which will be removed from the stadium will be used to fix other fields in line with his campaign manifesto of setting up a Stadium in each Sub County.

Kenyatta Stadium is among the five stadia set to host the CHAN competition. Others are Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nairobi’s Nyayo, Meru’s Kinoru and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.

The Local Organising Comitee (LOC) is racing against time in renovation of playing venues, to avoid CAF withdrawing the tournament awarded to Kenya in 2014 during Sam Nyamweya’s FKF administration.