Why Namwamba wants part of Bomet Stadium pulled down ahead of Kenya's AFCON bid

FOOTBALL Why Namwamba wants part of Bomet Stadium pulled down ahead of Kenya's AFCON bid

Kiplagat Sang • 09:38 - 08.03.2023

The minister toured the stadium on Tuesday to inspect the facility.

Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has ordered the reconstruction of Bomet Stadium.

The CS wants sections of the facility to be redone in order to meet international standards. This comes as the country lays down plans to bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

"Some of the structures will be pulled down because they were not done according to the required standards, hence they pose a major risk to the public," Namwamba told the media while on an inspection visit.

"This is part of the ministry's goal to upgrade most of the stadium facilities across the country to FIFA/CAF standards in readiness for the government's bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament."

The former Budalangi MP also stated that the facility in South Rift will be expanded to accommodate other sports.

"We want to build this stadium again to international standards. We are also looking into expanding the facility to accommodate music recording studios, gym points, and all kinds of sports," he added.

"We are finalising a Sports and Arts Infrastructure Masterplan that will guide the government in coherent development to avoid haphazard past errors that have dotted the country with costly white elephants.

"In that spirit, we have announced all-new stadiums will only be developed under a new coherent master plan that will give Kenyans details on cost and the purpose of the facilities."

The stadium was a flagship project of the former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, and Ksh 250 million has so far been used in the process.

Initially, the project had stalled as county officials – when they appeared before the Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee in 2022 – said there was a tussle as Bomet University claimed part ownership of the land.