Hussein Mohammed: Why Modern Stadiums Must Serve More Than Just Football

Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed has broken his silence on Nyayo National Stadium hosting non-football events.

News has emerged that the Nyayo National Stadium will host a major gospel crusade next month, just months after billions were spent upgrading its playing surface to CAF and FIFA standards.

The event, Grace Encounter Nairobi, organised by Grace Arena Ministries, is scheduled for September 27, 2025, and will feature top gospel artists including Moses Bliss, Joe Mettle, Rose Muhando, Pastor Lawrence Oyor, and Apostle David Owusu. Entry will be free, drawing tens of thousands of worshippers.

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While gospel faithful are celebrating, football fans fear the pitch, which was refurbished at huge public expense, could be damaged by non-sporting use, undermining the very purpose of the costly renovations.

Hussein Mohammed moved to calm fears among football fans, stressing that there is no reason to worry about Nyayo Stadium hosting non-sporting events.

He explained that, across the world, modern stadiums are designed to serve as multi-purpose venues capable of accommodating a wide range of activities, not just football matches. According to him, what matters most is how such events are managed.

Hussein Mohammed pointed out that as long as organisers are strict about following proper guidelines, the playing surface will not be compromised.

However, he was quick to clarify that not every activity is suitable for a stadium environment. Some events, he warned, carry a high risk of causing lasting damage to the turf or infrastructure, and in those cases, organisers should avoid using sports facilities altogether.

By striking the right balance, he argued, Kenya’s renovated stadia can host both world-class sporting events and large-scale gatherings without jeopardising the quality of the pitch.

“Globally, if you look at these facilities, arenas and stadia, they are multipurpose facilities and can be used for various activities. The big question is, how do we manage those activities and put in measures to protect the turf?” Hussein Mohammed said on Citizen TV.

“How do you protect the surrounding infrastructure? You have to be very careful in the activities you are conducting on that surface. Some activities are not conducive to the surfaces there, but some can be done with very strict regulations.”

Hussein Mohammed added that if he were the one at the helm, he would have all stadia host sports activities only, but since there are no facilities, then they have no choice.

“It all depends on the activities you want to have on those facilities and how they are managed; that is the key. If I were to decide, I would want all stadia to be used for football activities, but if you lack adequate infrastructure, sometimes you have to share with others,” he added.

As debate continues over the use of Nyayo National Stadium, Hussein Mohammed’s remarks underline the delicate balance between preserving world-class sporting facilities and opening them up for wider community use.