Unfinished Kinoru Stadium due another CHAN inspection

Kinoru Stadium in Meru did not fare any better in getting dim reviews from CAF inspectors who landed in the town on Thursday to assess whether it is ready to host the 2018 Africa Home Nations Championships (CHAN).

In what has become a disturbing theme in the latest CAF inspection tour, Kinoru rated even lower than Nyayo, Kipchoge Keino and Kenyatta stadiums in Nairobi, Eldoret and Machakos since it is yet to be completed in the first place.

However, area leaders expressed optimism the works would be done by August ahead of the 2018 CHAN scheduled for early next year but the time left ahead of the biennial tournament is perhaps too soon to wait.

CHAN 2018 Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Mwachiro told the press Kinoru would be subjected to another visit once it is completed.

“We need to complete the stadium by August and then have another inspection by CAF to see if minimum requirements are achieved. The timing is good and it’s not a stadium under pressure,” Mwachiro.

Kinoru has four changing rooms for teams and two for officials, VIP Lounges, Press Conference Room and a Media Tribune that are yet to be completed.

“The concern is the perimeter fence as the Administration Police camp is located in the stadium land. If the stadium has to achieve international standards, the land needs to be utilized,” Mwachiro underscored.

The Deputy CEO noted the pitch is not up to standard and will have to be dug up and recommended turf-laid.

“We need to ensure drainage is in the right place. The surface needs to be polished to be as good as any other surface at the FIFA World Cup event,” Mwachiro emphasised.

County of Meru Executive for Sports Joy Muriungi announced the Kinoru project had so far ingested Ksh116m and six contractors are yet to be paid.

When quizzed by the CAF inspectors on the suitability of the stadium to be used for the continental tournament, the contractor on the ground fumbled leaving them unhappy.

Football Kenya Federation Upper Eastern Chairman, Ken Riungu said the delegation toured Meru School, Meru Teachers Training College, Meru National Polytechnic and the showground

“We just want to show them several possible training grounds during their stay. There are other stadiums across the County that the Government is working on,” Riungu added.

The delegation also toured five hotels within Meru town and its outskirts where they seemed comfortable with the facilities.