Kenya has officially begun the process of upgrading its two biggest stadiums in the country in line with the requirements needed by African football governing body CAF.This is after Sports Kenya – the body whose mandate includes developing and maintaining sporting infrastructure in the country – received 35,000 seats and two sets of FIFA Standard substitution benches that are set to be installed at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium.Kenya acquires 35,000 seats, 2 standard benches as plans for Nyayo and Kasarani stadium upgrades begin.The two grounds were banned by CAF for failing to pass the inspection test meaning the country cannot host any international match.📸Sports Kenya pic.twitter.com/APDqo1xX8Q— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) February 7, 2023 In a post on their official social media platform, Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto is seen receiving and inspecting the seats that were ordered from China.“Sports Kenya Director General Mr. Pius Metto is all smiles as he receives and inspects a consignment of stadium goods that just landed at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.The consignment contained 35,000 stadium seats for Kasarani stadium and two sets of FIFA Standard Substitution benches, one for Kasarani and the other for Nyayo Stadium. The installation of the seats will commence in the course of the week,” the post read.”The purpose of this exercise is not only to achieve CAF and FIFA requirements but also to modernize our facilities and make them more user friendly to our clients,”the DG added while inspecting the items.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Sports Kenya Public Relations Officer Rakki Asman confirmed that the country ordered the consignment from China and that it would go a long way in helping the country in making the necessary steps needed to get international clearance from CAF.##NAJAVA_MECA_7007198##“The seats came from an order that had been made n China some time back. As you know, there stadiums have not passed the test from CAF and this will help in starting the process.The seats will be at Kasarani because some section of Kasarani does not have seats like Nyayo. We are working to ensure that it leads to the process of us being cleared by CAF,” Asman said.Additionally Metto said: “The seats will fill-up the empty spaces at both stadia and after that we shall focus on other areas that need to be upgraded as well.”Kenyan duo move to Oman after getting deal with Dhofar ClubHe said they will also purchase more seats to replace those that are worn out. Other areas he revealed they will focus on include fixing the flood lights at Nyayo Stadium.“We have begun engagement with the company that did the work to see if they can come back and complete it. We hope to have done everything before the new financial year in June,” Meto added.Just this year, Kasarani and Nyayo, which were barred from staging international games way back in 2021, once again failed the test after the latest round of inspection conducted by CAF, meaning that Kenya cannot stage any international games in the country.Five promising Kenyan footballers whose talent risks going to wasteIn a letter written by CAF Development Director Raul Chepindo and which was copied to FKF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barry Otieno, CAF had indicated the decision to ban Kasarani emanated from a report from its inspection team.“Reference to the inspection visit conducted by CAF at Kasarani as part of the stadia’s assessment for homolation for the Fifa World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Based on the inspection report, we regret to inform you that the stadium did not meet the set minimum CAF Stadium requirements and consequently will not be approved for the qualifying matches,” read the letter.Breaking the FGM taboo using sportsLast week, Principal Secretary for State Department of Sports Jonathan Mueke said they are working on a program to upgrade the two facilities to meet international standards.Mueke said they have engaged experts from CAF, FIFA and World Athletics to understand what needs to be done to in terms of upgrading the two facilities.Nyayo Stadium underwent an upgrade two years ago that cost nearly Sh.900million but still did not meet international standards.Kasarani on the other hand hosted the World Athletics Championships for under-18 in 2018 and its standards seem to have gone down since then.Additional reporting by Gilbert Wandera
