The iconic Afraha Stadium has been the main celebration ground for Nakuru county.

It was known for hosting major sporting and political events including public holiday celebrations.

As the home to Ulinzi football club, the venue played a host to top high octane matches that saw thousands of fans flock the stadium.

The stadium which was opened in 1948 to host the football activities became famous in the 1970s for hosting different political meetings.

However, it has been over two years since the county government of Nakuru in partnership with the world bank embarked on the renovation and refurbishment of the facility to a modern sports complex.

When the contractor M/S Lexis International Limited was handed over the project in January 2021, the facility was closed from use to allow the construction.

The project was to take at least 14 weeks but delays in payment and other logistics have seen it dragged on for two more years.

The sluggish pace at which the construction is taking place has seen residents lose patience and sometimes wonder whether and when it will ever be completed.

Following its closure, the events which used to run at the stadium were moved to other grounds including the Afraha Annex, TP Mazembe, Railways grounds and Kingdom seekers Kamukunji grounds.

Nakuru City manager Gitau Thabanja revealed that the delay on the completion of the Sh 650 million project was caused by the restructuring of some utilities that had passed through it such as the water pipes and power lines.

He had however indicated that the project would be completed by the end of May. However, the project is yet to be completed.

The revamped stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 people which will be up from the current 8,200.

It will also have a modern football pitch, running track, changing rooms, medical rooms, parking space and a restaurant among other amenities.

It is touted to open up and increase the economic activity in the lower parts of Nakuru town and encourage businesses, such as hotels and other accommodation activities.

opendajoseph@gmail.com

Nakuru marks another public holiday with a closed Afraha Stadium

Author Spotlight

Joseph Openda