Ababu Namwamba Responds To Concerns Over Closure Of Major Stadiums: "We're Correcting A Mess"

• Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has defended a decision to close down all major stadiums for renovations
• The stadiums are being renovated ahead of the 2027 African Cup of Nations, which Kenya will be co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania
• There have been concerns from some athletes preparing for the Olympics with Kenya's World Cup Qualifiers also moved to Malawi

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has come out to defend the government's decision to close down all major stadiums in the country for renovations.

The decision comes even as the country prepares to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.

However, the closure of the stadiums has inconvenienced many sportsmen and women, including athletes chasing Olympic qualification times.

Major sporting events are now being held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Due to the lack of a FIFA-approved stadium, Kenya's upcoming World Cup Qualifier will also be played in Zambia.

Responding to Kenyans' concerns, Namwamba insisted that ongoing renovation works are meant to fix the sector's past mess.

"It is common knowledge that we have closed Nyayo, Kasarani and Kipchoge Keino Eldoret for major upgrading while heavily investing in the new Talanta Sports City alongside other regional facilities countrywide.

"We are correcting a mess accumulated over many years. For long Kenya’s sports facilities have been neglected and handled way too casually. Not any more," the CS told TUKO.co.ke.

Athletes want Nyayo Stadium reopened

A section of athletes, led by Former javelin World Champion Julius Yego, recently asked the government to consider reopening Nyayo Stadium.

The stadium is the only facility in Kenya ratified by World Athletics.

"The timing and eventual closure of the only remaining World Athletics ratified stadium Nyayo stadium for athletics competition in the country by #sports Kenya is a big loss to the athletics fraternity and more so the Olympic hopefuls amongst us athletes," Yego posted on Facebook.

The Sports CS, however, ruled out any possibility of reopening the stadium.

He asked Kenyans to rally behind the decision, ensuring its long-term benefit.

"Some temporary inconvenience will give way to a permanent solution. By the time we are done in a couple of years, Kenya will be miles ahead of all of our neighbors," Namwamba told TUKO.co.ke.

Which Kenyan stadiums will host AFCON 2027?

Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Kenya had jointly won a bid to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

Three Kenyan stadiums—Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret — have been selected to host the continental football showpiece.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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A collage of Nyayo Stadium and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba

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