Harambee Stars Duo Ask Government to Preserve Makongeni Pitch as Affordable Housing Project Begins

Harambee Stars midfielder Alpha Chris Onyango and goalkeeper Brian Bwire have issued a heartfelt plea to President William Ruto regarding the planned affordable housing project in Makongeni.

The duo expressed concern over the location earmarked for construction, noting that the grounds currently serve as a vital space where children train and play football.

According to them, building on the field would deny young players a crucial opportunity to develop their talent and stay engaged in positive activities.

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Alpha Onyango and Brian Bwire clarified that they are not opposed to the housing project itself, recognising its importance and the number of families it stands to benefit.

However, they urged the government to reconsider the approach and revert to the original plan of constructing the houses in phases, rather than all at once, in order to preserve the training grounds for the community’s young footballers.

Alpha Onyango, speaking from the Makongeni grounds, said they had learned of the affordable housing project planned for the area and stressed that they were not against it, acknowledging that it would be beneficial to the community and a positive step forward for residents.

However, he appealed for the government to consider constructing the project in phases, noting that the grounds are wide enough to allow development without completely displacing children who train and play there.

Alpha Onyango emphasised that, as sportspeople, their lives are anchored in such fields, and many young players look to that space as the starting point of their dreams. If the entire area were demolished at once, he warned, a great deal of talent and hope would be lost.

“Right now, we are at Makongeni grounds, and we want to pass a message to the President, William Samoei Ruto. We are just requesting, because we have heard that there is a project that will be in this area about affordable housing,” he shared.

“We haven’t refused it because it’s a good platform and it will elevate our area. When these houses come, we shall want to be a part of them, and we have one request: this area is so big, and when the affordable houses come, they will come in phases.

“As sportspeople, our lives rely on this field, and these kids are always hoping that one day, they will get to a higher level. When this whole area gets demolished, a lot of talent will go to waste.”

Brian Bwire echoed the same sentiment, stating that they fully supported the affordable housing initiative. He explained, however, that they were appealing for the project to be carried out in phases to ensure that the young footballers using the grounds would not be displaced.

Brian Bwire stressed that the talent being nurtured there was valuable to the country and should not be lost in the process.

“We support the affordable housing venture, but we want to request that it can be done in phases so that we don’t lose these talents that are here. We believe that these talents are very important to the country,” he added.

By calling for phased construction, the Harambee Stars duo hope the government can strike a balance, delivering much-needed housing while still preserving a field that has shaped countless young athletes.