Afraha Stadium is expected to come to life this weekend after four long years, with the fourth edition of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field meetings set to take place on the 4th and 5th of April.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Nakuru City Manager Gitau Thabanja explains that this event, which will draw athletes from across the country, will provide an opportunity to assess the quality of the stadium’s construction and the newly installed equipment.

Gitau Thabanja, Nakuru City Manager during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on April 2,2025.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

“We are excited to open the stadium for an international event. This athletic tournament will allow us to evaluate the tartan track we installed,” he says.

But why was Afraha Stadium chosen for this event?

Jepta Rono, South Rift Athletics Kenya Public Relations Officer during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on April 2, 2025.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

We spoke to Jepta Rono, the South Rift Athletics Kenya Public Relations Officer, who explained that Afraha Stadium was selected due to its tartan track.

He notes that the first three AK Track and Field Weekend Meetings had been held on murram tracks, which are not of international standard.

“At the moment, we cannot access Nyayo or Kasarani Stadium, and outside Nairobi, Nakuru is the only place with a tartan track that best suits our athletes,” he says.

In January of this year, discussions surrounding the construction of Afraha Stadium came to the forefront.

Various sports stakeholders, particularly from the football community, came together to demand the stadium’s opening. A four-month timeline was agreed upon for its completion.

During a town hall meeting on January 17, it was decided that a committee, comprising stakeholders from Nakuru West and Nakuru East, would oversee the stadium’s ongoing construction during this period.

Three months later, we spoke to Hassan Hussein, one of the committee members, who assured us that everything was progressing on schedule. “We are working hard to ensure that we meet the deliverables we set with the authorities,” he says.

Hussein expressed hope for future events, saying that the upcoming athletics tournament was a sign of progress.

“The fact that athletics will be hosted here gives us hope that, by May, we will also be able to host our first football tournament on the grounds. This will help us test the facilities,” he notes.

The committee’s deadline is May 16, and they plan to hold their first football tournament on May 17.

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Bret Sanya