Government Proceeds With 'Bakuli' Plastic Seats at Talanta Stadium Despite Fan Backlash

The recently released images detailing the seat installation process at the under-construction Talanta Sports City Stadium (Raila Odinga Stadium) have ignited a storm of controversy.

For months, fans have vehemently criticised the choice of fixed, bucket-style plastic seats, known as ‘Bakuli’. This criticism, centred on the lack of comfort, the perception that they are outdated, and concerns about compliance with modern FIFA and CAF standards, has now met a defining moment.

However, the visual evidence strongly suggests the government has chosen to ignore the public outcry, pressing forward with the installation of the exact seating arrangement fans had so loudly rejected.

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The saga took a turn earlier in the year when conflicting reports created a fleeting sense of hope. At one point, whispers circulated within sporting circles that the government might backtrack and opt for the widely expected foldable seats, a feature seen in modern arenas globally.

There were rumours that a small section of previously installed seats had been removed, supposedly paving the way for the upgrade.

However, the latest photographic dispatch from the construction site tells a different story. There is no evidence of widespread dismantling; it is a scene of progress in securing the 'Bakuli' seats to the stadium’s terraces.

The ‘U-turn’ that many hoped for has proven to be, at best, a misinterpretation, and at worst, a deflection of legitimate concern.

“Seat installation at Talanta Sports City Stadium (Raila Odinga Stadium) has hit top gear! It’s a full sprint against time as we gear up for AFCON 2027 - and it’s getting REAL!” the post on Kasarani Stadium’s social media handle stated.

The images have provided fresh fuel to the digital outrage as Kenyan football enthusiasts feel a sense of betrayal.

“Fixing plastic buckets again! Who bewitched GoK?” one fan commented on the post.

“Tulikataza hizo sahani za plastic hawaskii (We refused those plastic plates, but they’re not listening),” another fan added.

“Mlisema viti ni za kufold, stadium ya 1b na viti ni plastic (You said the seats would be foldable, but a 1 billion stadium has plastic seats),” another noted.

“Those seats are a disgrace,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Musonye also pointed out that there was nothing wrong with the seats, noting that they are very comfortable.

"No, they are not substandard," Nicholas Musonye stated. "If he goes there, he will be very comfortable. The seats are okay."