The historic Nairobi City Stadium will be reconstructed at a cost of 600 million shillings to attain international standards.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja today precided over the ground breaking ceremony of the stadium works as he turned into reality to his promise to revamp the stadium now renamed Joe Kadenge Stadium.
Sakaja said that works on the stadium would be done non stop to ensure that it is completed within the stupilated time. The governor started with precided over the ground breaking ceremony at the Woodly grounds in Kibra constituency before moving to City Stadium.
The county boss said that the construction of these two sports facilities was in line with the county government’s commitment to empower the youth who form the majority of Nairobi’s population.
“We are going to ensure that this stadium is constructed to international standards and the work will be done non stop.This is not a refurbishment but a total revamp at a cost of 600 miilion shillings. We have also spoken to the late legendary footballer Joe Kadenge’s family to provide us with the best action photo of Kadenge for us to erect a statue outside the City Stadium,” Sakaja said.
“This stadium has a lot of history between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards and is the home ground of Gor Mahia which we have renamed Joe Kadenge, a legend of AFC Leopards meaning that one of the Mashemeji teams are loosing,” Sakaja added.
Speaking of the woodly grounds, the governor said that as the Nairobi senator, he pushed for the construction of the stadium but ws never successful in having the county start work on the grounds.
“I went to woodly as the senator and I was pusjing for its construction. I am very honoured that today, as the governor, I am leading the construction of Woodly and I want to promise that work will not stop once the constructor is on site because we have made a decision that we shall not entertain pending bills,” Sakaja noted.
Sakaja also recorgnised football legends at City Stadium led by Former internationals Mickey Weche, George Sunguti and Alfred Chege.
Sakaja praised the Nairobi County Executive Committee member for Mobility and Works Brian Mulama who was the the CEC in charge of Talents, Skills Development and Care and who led the preparations of these constructions before being moved to the mobility department.
“I also want to thank CEC Mulama for a good job when he was incharge of Talent and sports. That is actually why I moved you to the works department so that you can continue with the good job. This construction will be done led by Mulama and the CEC now incharge of sports Rosemary Kariuki who is equally competent,” Sakaja said while referring to Mulama at the event.
Mulama said that the work at the two stadiums will be done with precision and that the county government will ensure that the youth of this county are given the facilities that they deserve.
“When I was inchage of sports, we made great plans and I will support the current CEC to ensure these facilities are build to the best standards,” Mulama aid.
The CEC in charge of Talents, Skills Development and Care Rosemary Kariuki said that her department will ensure that these sports facilities are constructed to the international standards and assured Nairobi residents of the commitment to keep improving sports infrustructureas well as developing new ones. The newly constructed Dandora stadium will be opened on 2nd September when the Sakaja Super Cup kicks off.
Football Kenya Federation chiefs also hailed the construction noting that Nairobi lacks the necessary football grounds ant the construction of City Stadium and Woodly was a hearty welcome.
“Our teams have been struggling to get piches to play league matches and I thank Nairobi County for these two milestone developments. It will be very important for our footballers,” FKF president Nick Mwendwa said.
Nairobi based Communication strategist and football stakeholder Kenn Okaka said that mny teams, especially in eastlands face a hard time since there are no stadiums in the area and the construction of Dandora stadium and City Stadium will help teams from the region play their matches.
“I really thank Governor Sakaja for honouring his word and ensuring construction of the City Stadium, Woodly grounds and the new Dandora Stadium is done. As a football stakeholder, I know these stadiums will really help teams because in the whole of Eastlands there is no stadium. It is a very dire situation for especially teams in lower leagues,”Okaka said.
