Moi Stadium Kisumu gets nod to host KPL matches

FKF Nyanza North branch chair Joseph Andere (left), secretary Dickson Oruko (right) and Nyanza NEC member Tom Alila at the Moi Stadium Kisumu on June 30.

Moi Stadium Kisumu can now host Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches, the Stadia Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) said yesterday.

The Committee toured the stadium yesterday and it will be allowed to host KPL matches with first one slated for tomorrow between Western Stima and Sopafaka.

“We have approved the stadium to host Tusker Kenyan Premier League matches; the Western Stima verses Sopafaka game will be staged at the Kisumu’s Moi Stadium and not Mumias Complex as earlier reported,” said Laban Jobita, the head of the team.

The team, however, said Kisumu County Government must work hard to ensure the stadium is safe for fans, noting the sheds are still not completed and the terraces are weak.

“We still have uncompleted sheds, the inner perimeter is weak and for the comfort of the fans. This must be completed,” he added.

GMT Ottieno, who is the head of technical services, safety and security and a member of SSSC, said: “The County Government will have to install another two emergency gates on the Southern and Eastern wings of the stadium to enable ease players’ exit should there be an emergency.”

The team also requested the County Government to deal with the dumpsite before a long term solution of moving it is found so that fans don’t use the site to watch matches free of charge like they did during the GOtv Shield match between Gor Mahia and GFE 105.

The team that comprised of Jobita, Ottieno, Elly Mukolwe, Doris Petra, Lilian Nzile, John Baraza and Robert Nyakundi (all members) asked the Stadium management to speed up the remaining works so that the County can
benefit on revenue from gate collections.

Meanwhile, the double header match between Gor Mahia and GFE 105 and Agrochemical and Nairobi Stima held at the same venue last weekend raised Sh912,000.

Petra told FeverPitch that Kisumu has the potential to raise good revenue because the region is central and has been breeding ground for football talents.

She urged the local branch to use the stadium more often.