Got Alila: Muhoroni’s dreaded ground that has proved too steep for visiting teams

For those entrenched in Kenya’s political history, Got Alila would be familiar to them.

Got Alila is where the body of the late former Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko was found on February 15, 1990.

That traumatic news made Got Alila very famous, not just in Kenya but around the world, and every mention of the place sends chills down the spines of many.

For the uninitiated, Got is Luo for hill, so, Got Alila simply means Alila hills.

Located in Koru, Muhoroni in Kisumu county, Got Alila has remained a place many fear to go and this has proved true even in the local football scene.

This is because the Muhoroni Stadium, home to Wazito FC, who have now changed names to Muhoroni Youth, does not just overlook the dreaded hills but is a venue where teams cannot seem to get a result from.

Last season, Gor Mahia, Tusker FC and AFC Leopards went to Muhoroni and came back without a win, the latter two losing, while K’Ogalo were forced to settle for a barren draw in a tension-filled match.

It is in fact the place where Tusker lost the Premier League title, having gone into the match with a two-point advantage over eventual champions Gor Mahia with three matches remaining.

For a team that won just seven matches all season, Wazito owe their survival to their good home record as they won four and recorded six draws at home with only Nzoia Sugar among the top seven of last season to have beaten them at home.

In the relegation-promotion playoff, they thumped Migori Youth 3-0 at home, having played to a goalless draw in the first leg away.

Got Alila simply proved steep for many. So, what makes it unique?

“Having a pitch that you call your own is an advantage. Teams fear playing here which is an advantage to us. We are familiar with the ground so it makes life difficult for them,” Wazito CEO Collince Dave told Pulse Sports.

They say familiarity breeds contempt and this could be true for Wazito who have gotten used to their home that they have lost respect for anyone visiting the ‘hallowed’ grounds.

However, a look at the makeup of the stadium would perhaps point to why it has become so frightening to many teams. If Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums failed to meet international standards set by CAF, then Muhoroni does not even qualify to be called a stadium.

There is only one main entrance to the venue which does not have many designated sitting areas and just a fence separates the fans from the players on the pitch.

Visiting teams always fear for their security more than the result. In May, mayhem nearly saw Wazito’s match against Gor Mahia fail to kick off after a violent brawl between both sets of supporters.

Numerous K’Ogalo fans were demanding to accompany the team bus into the stadium but the hosts would have none of it, leading to the altercation and Dave admits he feared the worst.

“We thank God our game with Gor Mahia ended in a draw because there would have been chaos if either team won,” he added.

It was not the first time the facility had been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In 2017, FKF banned the ground from hosting federation-sanctioned matches, accusing the Kenya Premier League Limited of failing to control Muhoroni Youth’s club executives, fans and stewards.

This followed an altercation during a league match between Muhoroni Youth and visiting Nzoia United where knives, clubs and other crude weapons were brandished. Many called, and are still calling, for the venue to be banned completely.

“The problem we have is that fans come here from other teams and they want to get in without paying. Visiting fans come here in groups and want to force their way in. That cannot happen because it is our major income generator,” said Dave, while defending his club against hooliganism accusations.

“Football is very expensive and in Kenya, it has no return. We cannot budget for another stadium. Those saying this ground should be banned should give us an alternative, pay for it and pay our transport there.

“We have hosted Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards here and nothing has happened. FKF officials have been here and approved this venue.”

For now, Muhoroni remains a Premier League match venue and those planning to visit Got Alila next season, better be prepared for a rough ride.