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Nyayo Stadium had been closed yet again for the instalation of a new tartan track ahead of the Kip Keino Classic and the 97th Mashemeji Derby.
Preparations for the 2025 Absa Kip Keino Classic have hit a snag following delays in the installation of a new tartan track at Nyayo National Stadium. The prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, slated for Saturday, May 31, now faces a possible venue change.
According to a report by Daily Nation, efforts to upgrade the 30,000-seater facility have stalled, largely due to persistent heavy rains that have hampered the laying of the new artificial surface.
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The stadium is also undergoing broader renovations ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya will co-host in August alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
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“The work on the new tartan track was delayed because of the playing surface, and more so, the weather has not been conducive,” said Meet Director Barnabas Korir, confirming that contingency plans are already being explored.
The Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata has emerged as a strong alternative, with inspections already carried out by certified venue assessor Ibrahim Hussein and broadcast partner Timetronics. If approved, it would mark the first time the military-owned 8,000-seater stadium hosts the Kip Keino Classic.
However, Korir raised concerns about the venue's limited capacity:
“The stadium capacity won’t allow the huge numbers that have attended the event before. Organizers will have to introduce an entry fee to manage crowd size.”
The uncertainty has also affected the event’s promotional activities, with the scheduled media launch which was supposed to take place on Thursday postponed indefinitely.
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Despite the logistical challenges, several international stars have confirmed their participation, including Africa’s 100m record-holder Ferdinand Omanyala, Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji, Olympic hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers, and reigning men’s javelin bronze medallist Anderson Peters.
What It Means For the Mashemeji Derby
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The venue dilemma surrounding Nyayo National Stadium has also cast a shadow over the much-anticipated Mashemeji Derby, initially set for Sunday, May 11, with reliable sources affirming to Pulse Sports that it was set to be rescheduled for June 1, a day after the Kip Keino Classic.
With Kasarani Stadium also undergoing preparations for the upcoming CHAN tournament, organizers had hoped Nyayo would be ready in time. However, the delays in laying the tartan track have forced Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to look elsewhere.
A proposal to host the derby at Ulinzi Sports Complex was tabled, but the request was rejected by the stadium’s management, who cited internal concerns and risks of vandalism.
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FKF had intended to stage the match behind closed doors to mitigate security issues and protect the infrastructure, but the refusal has left them with limited options.
“With no suitable venue currently available, FKF has resolved to postpone the match to a later date, which will be communicated in due course,” read a statement from the federation.
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The venue impasse places both the Kip Keino Classic and Kenya’s most iconic football fixture in limbo, exposing broader infrastructural and planning challenges as the country gears up to co-host one of the continent’s biggest football events later this year.
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