Kisumu’s Moi Stadium lined up for Sh800m renovation

Chris Mahandara-KNA

The State Department for Sports has been allocated Sh800 million to upgrade the historic Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

The project, announced by President William Ruto last month has sparked excitement among sports enthusiasts and residents alike.

A team of engineers from the state department toured the facility to assess its status and advise on the best approach for the upgrade.

According to Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Sports Beatrice Odongo, the groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place later this month, paving the way for the multi-million-shilling upgrade.

"We are privileged to have a team come and assess the ground and advise on what best can be done for Kisumu County and this facility. We look forward to having the facility launched as soon as possible," she said.

The upgraded stadium, she said, is expected to be a game-changer for sports in the region, providing a world-class facility for youths to showcase their talents. 

"This will be one of the best facilities that will be used not just within Kisumu County, but in the western region and even in East Africa," Odongo added.

The project was expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the county government working closely with the Ministry of Sports to ensure its timely delivery, she said. 

"Most probably by the end of 2026, we'll be launching a new stadium in Kisumu County," Odongo said.

Built in the 1980s, Moi Stadium has served as Kisumu’s main sporting venue, but its ageing infrastructure and poor drainage have drawn criticism. Local teams like Kisumu All Stars have called it home but now, a new era beckons.

With the upgrade on the horizon, excitement is building among athletes and fans alike.

“This will be the heart of sports in western Kenya,” said Odongo. “We’re not just building a stadium. We are building hope, pride and opportunity.”

County Secretary Hesbon Hongo, who was also present during the tour, echoed Odongo's sentiments, saying that the stadium would be developed into an international standard facility. 

"We are going to get an international standard stadium which will be in the same league as the Emirates Stadium to enable Kisumu to host world class sporting events," he said.

However, Hongo raised concerns about land ownership issues surrounding the stadium, noting that some adjacent land that was once part of the facility had been grabbed. 

"We'll look into that and come back with a comprehensive report," he said, adding that a technical team including engineers and surveyors has since confirmed that the land available was sufficient for the envisioned project.

 "There is cause for alarm. The State Department for Sports engineers have assessed the available land and will soon determine the optimal orientation of the stadium," he said.