AFC Leopards have reignited discussions with the government over the fate of a 2.8-acre piece of land adjacent to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani — a parcel that was allocated to both AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia by the late President Daniel Arap Moi.Speaking during the presentation of the club’s task force report on Tuesday, Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda reaffirmed his commitment to securing the land, describing himself as the only chairman who has actively pursued the matter despite the club’s ongoing struggles both on and off the pitch.##NAJAVA_MECA_8755793##Shikanda revealed that talks with the government have reached the highest levels, with the matter currently resting on the desk of President William Ruto.He outlined a series of high-level engagements with key government officials, including former Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba, former Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto, and the President Ruto.”I can confidently say this — I am the only chairman who has pushed for this land up to this point. During our last meeting, the entire NEC, along with my patron, was present. We were at State House, sitting with the Head of State, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, and the Director General of Sports Kenya. The President gave clear directives, and today, we have presented all the required paperwork,” Shikanda stated.Why Kenya U20 forward turned down 4 offers in USA to join Saginaw Valley FCThe land was originally set to be leased to the club for 66 years through a Cabinet memo. However, President Ruto recommended extending the lease to 99 years to offer greater stability for future development.Just as the deal appeared close to being finalized, a wave of political changes disrupted progress.Shikanda attributed the slowdown to the removal of Namwamba from the Sports docket and the government’s shifting focus following the height of the Gen Z protests.“Unfortunately, the Gen Z protests happened, Ababu left office, and Metto also exited. I had been pushing the matter with Metto and even with Ababu. Before leaving, Ababu assured me that in just ten days, we would be breaking ground. But before those ten days elapsed, there was a reshuffle, and both the government and cabinet leadership changed. So as it stands, the fate of the land rests either in the hands of the Head of State or with us as a club,” Shikanda added.Benni McCarthy facing first major blow as Harambee Stars coachWith AFC Leopards currently transitioning from a society club to a corporate entity — and with Shikanda’s six-year tenure as chairman nearing its end — he called on fans, club members, and the media to maintain pressure on the government to ensure the land issue remains a priority.He stressed the importance of developing proper football infrastructure, noting that major fixtures like the Mashemeji Derby continue to face disruption due to venue unavailability.##NAJAVA_MECA_8755807##The quest for a permanent home for Ingwe dates back to June 2020, when Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi donated Ksh600,000 to help the club process the title deed for a larger 20-acre plot in Kasarani.The funds were intended to jumpstart the process of constructing a club stadium — a dream that has yet to materialize.”We want AFC Leopards to have a permanent home,” Mudavadi said at the time. “Let the club leadership draft a proper strategic plan and transform this sporting complex into a centre of pride for the country’s sporting fraternity.”New Mara Sugar defender reveals peculiar reason for rejecting Nairobi clubsDespite the numerous delays, Shikanda remains optimistic that with renewed focus and collective effort, the vision of a permanent home for AFC Leopards will finally become a reality. As the club undergoes crucial structural reforms, securing its own stadium could be the game-changer that defines its future.
