This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Located in the heart of Molo town, Nakuru County, Molo Stadium is a stark reminder of poor urban planning and neglect.
As one enters the stadium, the first thing that catches the eye is the murky sewerage that surrounds the seven-acre facility.
Plastic bottles and raw sewerage flow from a stinking and filled-up toilet, while buildings in disrepair and human and livestock waste dot the stadium.
Despite being home to Molo All Stars and Molo Football Club, which play in the Nakuru County Football Kenya Federation (FKF) League, the stadium is a far cry from a safe and healthy environment for football matches.
Traders dump waste along the stadium's collapsing perimeter wall, while street urchins have turned one corner of the stadium into a hideout.
Swirling winds often leave rubbish flying across the pitch, forcing teams to collect garbage before matches can start.
Fast food outlets and a market near the stadium generate garbage that finds its way into the stadium, while visiting teams are forced to park vehicles inside the stadium due to a lack of parking space.
Football fans and team officials attending matches are often forced to stand as there are no seats inside the stadium nor a roof, leaving them exposed to the elements of weather during matches.
And fans have to make do with no toilets, with some seen peeing on the perimeter wall.
"This stadium is a big letdown. The pitch has been taken over by street urchins who have turned it into a hideout," said Molo All Stars midfielder Sam Muraya.
"The toilets have been totally neglected. As players, we were deeply concerned about our health and we raised funds to keep them in working order but the county government turned down our offer for help, saying it is not their duty," he added.
Area Ward Representative Michael Njoroge Sonis said the stadium has no running water and the toilet block, constructed by the defunct Molo Town Council, is unfit for human use.
"The stadium has no changing rooms and the girls' teams are forced to change clothes in residential areas, which is risky," said Njoroge.
County executive for sports, Lucy Kariuki, said although money has not been set aside for repairing the stadium in the current financial year, funds will be allocated in the supplementary budget.
"The Molo stadium improvement project has rolled over from the previous regime. We plan to commit funds in the supplementary budget to ensure it is in good state," said Kariuki.
