Rita Damary
16 April 2008
Nairobi — The historic Afraha Stadium, which has been hosting thousands of displaced people, requires more than Sh500,000 to renovate the facility.
The officials say it would take at least two months for sporting activities to resume after renovation. A number of key sporting activities have been relocated to other venues this year as the Stadium was occupied by the refugees.
Thousands of people flocked to the stadium to seek refuge in the wake of post election violence, which hit Nakuru on January 25 this year.
Speaking to SportFest, Morris Ochieng', the stadium manager said a lot of the facilities at the Stadium, which hosts crucial provincial and national events have been destroyed.
He said that people camping at the stadium used the hurdles as firewood.
"They also vandalised the wooden fence and the stands in the stadium and used it as firewood," he said.
The grass in the stadium has dried up, turning the pitch in to a dusty field. As a result, the football pitch cannot be used as it is in a deplorable situation. Athletics track has also been destroyed since it has been turned into cooking spots and watering points. Due to poor drainage, the water flowing from tanks has damaged the track that it would need a lot of work to level it before being used for any event.
He said following the camping of the displced at the stadium, there's no water hence the stadium officials would be forced to plant grass on the football pitch. This will force them to buy water to irrigate the planted grass. With the situation at the stadium, most institutions, especially in Nakuru have been forced to change the venues of their events.
Sports officials in the region have been calling on the Government to relocate the displaced at the Stadium.
Francis Njuguna, the Nakuru District Secondary Schools Sports Association chairman, appealed to the Government to relocate the displaced to enable the sports fraternity conduct sports events as earlier scheduled.
"Our sports activities have been greatly affected. We understand the plight of the displaced but the Government should also consider the impact it is having on sports," said Njuguna.
However the displaced at the stadium have been resisting any attempts by the government to relocate them.
Most of the sports events affected include: Decathlon and Heptathlon for schools, Kenya Premier League (KPL) matches, Armed Forces events, the Athletics Kenya New KCC series and Kenya Police events among others.
The officials fear that they may be forced to change the venue for various events if an urgent solution to the plight of the displaced is not forthcoming. The Stadium has been popular venue for many sports events due to its strategic position and proximity to Nakuru town.
Kimutai Ng'etich, the Rift Valley Secondary Sports Association Secretary, said the term 2 'A' games, which were to be held at the stadium, will now be held in Nanyuki.
The officials are appealing to the concerned institutions to look for an immediate solution to make the stadium free for the sports activities.
" We are appealing to the concerned institutions to speed up the relocation of the people camping at the stadium and pave way for renovation of the dilapidated facilities," said Ng'etich. The KPL home teams; Ulinzi and Red Berets have been forced to opt for different venues. A KPL official said it was difficult for them to relocate their matches other venues.
The stadium manager appealed to the government, Nakuru Municipal council and friends to fund the repair of the stadium. Football teams have been the most affected by the change of venues whose gate collections are low. With most of the displaced opting to seek alternative accommodation , sports officials are optimistic that the Stadium may soon revert to its former role.
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