The Kisumu County government has said it will build a new 20,000-seat stadium on the site of the existing Moi Stadium in an effort to ensure the Kenyan city keeps pace with other sports infrastructure development in the country.
Moi Stadium, primarily a football venue, is the only sports stadium of note in the west Kenyan county, but it has limited seating capacity and also lacks an athletics track. However, the government has revealed plans for a Sh1.3bn (£10m/€11.4m/$12.5m) development which will also feature a 500-seat amphitheatre and sports museum.
Kisumu County director of communications Aloice Ager told Kenyan newspaper the Daily Nation: “As the third biggest city in Kenya, Kisumu is not benchmarking with any county with regard to sports infrastructure. The plan of the stadium is ready, and we are keen on promoting both sports and the arts to give our youth opportunities to fully utilise their potential in life.”
Kisumu County Executive for Tourism and Sports, Achie Alai, added: “The total project is valued at about Sh1.3bn. We have budgeted as the department for Sh100 million for this financial year.
“Each year we will allocate a budget for the project, but we are aggressively looking for partners as we move along – both corporates locally and internationally as well as public-private partnerships. We have actual designs and seed money from the county. We have shown our commitment and it’s easier to approach partners.”
Alai said work on the projected is expected to commence soon. It had been due to start this month, but has been delayed due to budgetary issues and the decommissioning of a dumpsite currently located on the land.
Alai added: “The new stadium will have multiple terraces, VIP areas, lifts, changing rooms, an ablution block, parking area, an amphitheatre for 500 people, shops, restaurant, cinema, tennis and squash courts, badminton and basketball courts, and a sports museum to celebrate our heroes from across the country. We strongly feel that our heroes deserve recognition.”
Image: Kisumu County
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