Sports Kenya moves to defend status of Kinoru Stadium

The status of the refurbished Kinoru Stadium has sparked controversy after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials who visited the facility found it out of shape to host top-flight matches.

Despite the close to Sh1 billion that has been poured into renovation works, the FKF officials who visited on Wednesday declared the pitch unplayable prompting a delegation from Sports Kenya to make swift inspection tour.

Sports Kenya Chairman Fred Muteti said that much of the work had been completed with only final touches remaining, but noted that pitch is still a challenge.

“VIP and public pavilions are complete together with the track but what remains in the tartan. The pitch will be ready in two weeks and we expect the tartan to be in place in two or three months’ time,” Muteti said.

Director General Pius Metto observed that leveling of the ground, underneath irrigation, compacting and planting of the grass had been done earlier saying putting of manure and sand is what remains.

“In the two weeks when we complete putting manure and seeding of the grass, the pitch will be ready for international matches,” summed Metto.

However during the FKF tour, the officials noted that there are about four species of grass in the pitch where a uniform species was required, with also some anthills being spotted in various parts of the pitch, some of the factors that made it be termed unplayable.

Meru sports CeC Koome Miriti on his side reiterated that the FKF stand over the pitch was as per the FIFA standard, citing that it was work on progress, sounding optimistic that it will be ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to hand over the facility.

Meanwhile, the delegation said that they will be revisiting the facility on February 5 to check if the recommendations had been implemented.