Kisumu: Nyanza’s biggest sports complex in worrying condition

Moi stadium spruced ahead of Gaucho's visit. Perimeter wall surrounding Moi Stadium in Kisumu repainted in county colors as face-lift continues on November 08,2018 ahead of arrival of Brazillian player Ronaldinho Gaucho on Saturday. Despite the stinking dumpsite by the stadium,the soccer player will be in Kisumu will launch a match between Kisumu All Starts and Bondo. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

It was once the crown jewel of local and international sports, but in recent times it is more of an eyesore.

Last year, Kisumu’s Moi Stadium hosted celebrated football star Ronaldinho and many thought its fortunes would change.

Following an announcement that renovation would be undertaken at the stadium, football fans around the lakeside city thought, for once, the facility would reclaim its former image and go back to hosting national and international games.

The venue is known for hosting big events, both local and international. It was home to several Olympic athletics trials in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Kenya Communications Sports Organisation (Kecoso) games were also a frequent feature in the town.

Despite efforts by the Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) to upgrade Moi Stadium by laying a Sh53 million artificial turf, the biggest stadium in Nyanza can still not yet even host the local Mashemeji derby, pitting Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

The locals looked forward to an ultra-modern stadium with not only an artificial turf, but also better facilities like modern stands with seats and all infrastructure that goes with a modest playing venue.

However, the stadium is in a deplorable condition, despite millions of shillings being spent on giving it a facelift  over the past six years and it does not measure to the required international standards.

The stands are poorly maintained with no seats for fans, poor lighting, overgrown grass, poor drainage, old and leaking roofing, untidy and dirty complete with a foul smell and smoke from the decomposing mountain of garbage just next to the stadium’s main stand.

When it rains, no fan can comfortably watch the match as everyone gets rained on, especially at the VIP stand. Fans pay more for the VIP stand and still get rained. [Washington Onyango]