Exclusive: Can Kenya’s Sports Infrastructure Rise to Global Standards?

Kenya, a nation brimming with talent, has historically punched above its weight on the global sports stage. The country's sports achievements are remarkable, from marathon legends to rugby sensations. 

However, behind these triumphs lies a pressing question: can our athletes achieve even greater success without the support of world-class sports infrastructure?

Kenya's youth population is large and growing, with over 13 million adolescents and over 80% of the population under 35 years old. With this youthful demographic, Kenya has no shortage of potential athletes.

However, a critical deficit in infrastructure and maintenance has left many of these budding talents without the facilities they need to thrive.

When discussing the maintenance of sports infrastructure, several pressing questions emerge. Why do facilities in Kenya take too long or are never completed? Is it merely an issue of under-funding, or are there systemic flaws in the governance and management of sports facilities?

The recent renovation of the Nyayo and Kasarani stadia built four decades ago highlights a recurring pattern: facilities are constructed with great fanfare but abandoned as soon as the events they were built for the end.

A Pattern of Neglect

Kenya’s approach to sports infrastructure has often been reactive and short-sighted. Facilities are constructed or hastily renovated to align with political holidays or significant regional events, only to be abandoned once the spotlight shifts.

The Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium in Webuye, for instance, underwent rushed renovations ahead of Madaraka Day celebrations but has since seen little progress.

The Cost of Stalled Projects

Some of the stadia which have stalled despite being allocated millions of taxpayers’ money include:

Ngong Stadium. The ground was broken in 2015 by the Kajiado County government to kickstart works at the facility that was to be renamed the Ngong Sports Complex. By 2019, over 38 million had been spent on the works with nothing to show as evidenced by a report from the auditor general.

Four years later, and with more money spent, the complex remains a pipe dream and is in worse shape than it was back then.

The Woodley Stadium in Kibera is also a reflection of mismanagement of funds despite being allocated Ksh100 million for refurbishment works by the Nairobi County government.

Dandora Stadium which today hosts several Kenya Premier League matches was initially allocated Ksh45 million before a supplementary budget of Ksh54 million was approved. Despite being complete and open eight months ago, the stadium has faced criticism from the public. 

One of the notable observations by players and users of the stadium has been the frequent slipping of players, which disrupts the flow of the game. The turf lacks rubber, which makes it even harder to play on since the surface beneath the turf is concrete, causing players to slip and discomfort in the knees and ankles at the end of the match.

Beyond the playing surface, the stadium faces criticism for its relatively small size, which some teams and players find restrictive to their style of play. Additionally, a section of fans has expressed concerns about security at the facility, citing fears linked to the crime rates associated with the area.

Other stadia which have been allocated millions of taxpayer’s money include Mwiki Stadium (Ksh84.5 million), Umoja I Tena Grounds (Ksh51.9 million), Joe Kadenge Stadium (Ksh328.9 million), and Undugu Grounds (Ksh20 million) among others.

In Nairobi alone, the total cost of stalled sports facilities stands at Ksh628,941,221, up from the initial Ksh390,000,000.

Namwamba's Long-Term Solution

SportsBoom.com chatted with former sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba who highlighted a critical gap in Kenya’s sports infrastructure development; a lack of a comprehensive masterplan. 

A master plan provides a clear, structured roadmap for developing and maintaining facilities. It establishes standardized criteria for different levels of infrastructure—international, regional, county, and community stadiums, ensuring that each facility meets the needs of its intended users. 

It further promotes equitable distribution of resources, preventing over concentration in specific regions while addressing long-standing issues of mismanagement and stalled projects. It also fosters accountability and transparency by outlining priorities and timelines, reducing the likelihood of funds being misused. 

Under Namwamba’s tenure, the Sports Act led to the creation of Kenya’s first sports infrastructure master plan, setting standards for international, regional, county, and community stadiums.

Namwamba spearheaded the design of Talanta Sports City, envisioned as a revolutionary 60,000-seat, eco-friendly, tech-savvy facility. 

“For 40 years, we’ve been all over the place, labeling small grounds as ‘international stadiums.’ Now, we’re setting standards to guide future development,” Namwamba stated.

The master plan also allocated resources to upgrade regional facilities like Bukhungu, Kanduyi, and Ruringu Stadiums, alongside ongoing renovations at Nyayo and Kasarani. Namwamba remained optimistic that the plan would transform Kenya’s infrastructure and provide the foundation for global competitiveness.

Globally, sports infrastructure is a critical asset that requires regular maintenance and updates to remain relevant and safe. 

Data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggests that nations with consistent investment in sports facilities have better youth engagement in sports and higher international success rates.

Countries like the United Kingdom and Japan spend an average of $1,000 per square meter annually on facility upkeep, while Kenya’s spending is almost negligible by comparison.

Ultimately, the question remains: can Kenya afford to continue ignoring its sports infrastructure while expecting world-class performances from its athletes?