Mombasa Municipal Stadium roars back to life after 11-year pause

SADIK HASSAN-KNA

Construction of the historic Mombasa Municipal Stadium is set to resume after an eleven-year hiatus, following the National Government’s takeover of the stalled project.

The move is part of a bold government initiative aimed at fast-tracking the stadium’s completion, which is expected to serve as an alternative venue for matches during next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament.

The agreement allowing the National Government to take over the project was reached after extensive deliberations at a meeting attended by Mombasa County Government leaders and senior officials from the National Government’s Ministries of Sports and Defense.

Those present included Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi, and his Defence counterpart, Patrick Mariru.

Speaking during the meeting Governor Nassir said the National Government’s decision to take over the project, whose construction began in 2015, was timely and would enable the county to fully utilize the facility to nurture and grow diverse talents in the region.

He disclosed that the County Government would underwrite the cost of the project up to its current phase and ascertain the status of progress within a week before the National Government team formally takes over construction works.

“Some critical works have already been completed, including laying a firm foundation for the entire structure. We are awaiting the final accounts for verification, after which the National Government will take over the project,” he said. 

Beyond AFCON, Governor Nassir said the stadium is expected to catalyze youth talent development, boost sports tourism, create employment opportunities, and provide a modern platform for large-scale events and community engagement.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering the project, noting that the revival of Mombasa Stadium aligns with a broader agenda of reviving stalled infrastructure, strengthening collaboration with the National Government, and investing in facilities that directly benefit young people.

PS Sports Elijah Mwangi said the 15,000-seater Mombasa Stadium is a unique facility within Kenya’s sports ecosystem, noting that it is the only low-altitude training venue in the country.

He added that the stadium would be ideal for teams seeking to acclimatize before international engagements in regions with similar climate conditions.

The PS further revealed that the government was considering the facility as an alternative venue for hosting AFCON matches next year, as it is poised to meet FIFA standards for international competitions.

“We are excited by the structure and location of this stadium. It presents a suitable venue for hosting matches outside Nairobi. While this stadium can host matches, the other county-developed stadium can serve as a training ground,” said Mwangi.

PS Mariru said the project, which will be undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces, is expected to take approximately one year to complete, assuring that it will meet the required standards and timelines.