This archive report was first published on 15 September 2019.
September 15, 2019, marked two years since the Nyayo National Stadium was closed for major refurbishment. The project, worth Sh450 million, aimed to upgrade the 30,000-seater stadium with new seats, changing rooms, a world-class training surface, electronic screens, and a redesigned main stand.
On August 24, 2017, Sports Kenya's acting Director General, Saima Ondimu, and Department of Sports Deputy Secretary, Raphael Muiruri, handed over the stadium's key to Chandresh Babariya, the contractor from Lexus International. The trio promised to complete the repairs within four months, in time for the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan), which Kenya had won the rights to host.
However, three months later, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew Kenya's hosting rights due to the government's delay in paying an international firm contracted to plant grass on the stadium. CAF was disappointed, citing that they only pay for work done.
Despite the delays, the government negotiated with the contractor to temporarily open the stadium for the national athletics trials for the World Championships. However, a seasoned athlete who used the stadium argued that its current state is worse than when it was closed down.
According to Sports Kenya's Public Relations officer, Rakki Asman, the contractor still has the key to the stadium and has not finished his work. The government plans to use the facility for the trials and then allow the contractor to complete his work.
