This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, Nyayo National Stadium is finally nearing completion after years of renovation work. The stadium, which was closed down in early 2017 for renovation, is set to be handed over to the government by May 31.
According to Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto, 90% of the work is complete, with only final touches remaining. The renovation work, which was initially approved for Sh4.2 billion, includes the installation of new seats, washing rooms, and VIP sections.
On Tuesday, a team from Sports Kenya, Athletics Kenya, and World Under-20 Championships officials toured the venue, which is being earmarked to host the Nairobi Athletics Meeting on September 26. The event was initially set for May 2 but was postponed due to the pandemic.
Metto insisted that work at the Nyayo National Stadium will be complete in a fortnight's time, with the contractors handing over the key officially on May 31. However, the government has given false promises of its opening since 2018, and it remains to be seen whether the renovation work will be complete this time round.
When Nation Sport visited the stadium, terraces were getting a new look, with new seats painted in the colours of the Kenyan flag already fixed on the upper and lower decks. The middle deck is halfway fitted with seats, and relocation of the changing rooms from below the VIP dais to the opposite side of the stadium has been done.
Plumbing and electrification work is ongoing inside the rooms, and the old changing rooms have been renovated. Toilets meant to be used by fans are still getting a much-needed facelift, and work on the VIP sections, including the presidential lounge, is complete.
Guests will now be able to follow action on the field from vantage points on either side of the sky boxes. Work on the all-cabro parking around the stadium is nearing completion, but a section of the drainage system is still incomplete. A borehole has already been sunk at the stadium and purifiers put in place to supply the arena with clean water.
