Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has thanked the national government for its efforts to repossess the land being used for the construction of the Talanta sports city stadium at Jamhuri along Ngong road.
Sakaja claimed that several individuals had title deeds and had been laying claim to the land.
“Your Excellency, you understand the challenge that we had in getting back this land, ilikuwa imechukuliwa na wakora. More than four people had title deeds,” he said.
“We thank you for your grit and your stamina that public land must revert to the people, this belongs to the people of Kenya and the people of Nairobi,” he added.
Sakaja made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the facility.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba voiced similar sentiments saying he is happy the project will bring an end to the tussles that had punctuated the land for years.
He added that public funds had been put to use at the facility as a way of safeguarding against land grabbers including setting up of the rugby and football pitches.
Ababu, however, assured that all these developments have been rescued and nothing has been wasted.
“We have rescued the fields, the forest areas, parking, and even the toilets...we have agreed with the contractor,” he said.
The 60,000-capacity facility is being built by the government in preparations for the AFCON 2027 to be co-hosted with the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda.
The facility will comprise seven changing rooms as per required international standards and VIP and VVIP areas.
It was initially set to be constructed in Shanzu in Mombasa.
President William Ruto said the project will be completed in a record two years.
