When the history of sports in Nakuru is written, Kamukunji grounds will not be left out. Situated next to Lumumba estate in Bondeni, Kamukunji boasts of having nurtured talent.

It is here that a number of football talents both at local and national level started their career in football.

Some of the famous names include, former Harambee Stars player John Muiruri popularly known as John Mo, Hillary "Fordy" Echesa, veteran goalkeeper’s Noah Ayuko and Evans "Jado" Omondi, David "Calabar" Owino, Sammy Okoth, Ramadhan Baraza and Michael "Mike" Baraza Nyongesa.

To the locals, Kamukunji grounds is commonly referred to as 'Kamuu'- the short form for Kamukunji.

"You cannot write the history of sports in Nakuru without mentioning Kamukunji. This is where sports legends are made," Amadi Kahero, a resident of Paul Machanga estate says.

For Chris Musu, he gets nostalgic every time Kamukunji grounds is mentioned as he reminisces on the inter-estates football matches that were full of energy.

The grounds, he says, were a uniting venue for residents from the cosmopolitan estates of Nakuru East.

But despite the great history that Kamuu has, for years the premises had been neglected. Kamuu had become a grazing zone for domestic animals and a haven for drug dealers.

Cases of mugging have also been reported in the area, until 2019 when the County government intervened through rehabilitation of the ground.

Rehabilitation of Kamuu was an initiative of the former Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui to help nurture talents and create employment.

Kamuu now has a perimeter fence, with the grass inside the field levelled. Changing rooms for both men and women have also been constructed together with a sitting area for fans to watch games played.

But despite all these efforts Maurice Otieno from Baharini Residents Association believes that more can be done

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Inside Kamukunji grounds where football legends trained

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Pristone Mambili