Kinoru Stadium slow pace anger fans as Tusker FC switch to Machakos

Football fans in Meru County have expressed their disappointment with the slow pace of construction works at Kinoru Stadium by the Meru County government.

The fans, who expected the pitch completed in six months after it was started in 2014 as per Governor Peter Munya’s promise, said the completion of the stadium is long overdue and they are not getting the value for the money being pumped into the project so far.

This comes after Tusker FC, who had adopted the stadium as their home ground and played half of their 2014/2015 matches in the field, expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of construction and shifted to Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos for their 2016 Premier League matches.

Last month, the club revealed on its social media platforms that “Our new home ground is Machakos Kenyatta Stadium since Kinoru Stadium is still under construction. That means that all our home games will be played in Machakos Stadium.”

Tusker FC were expected to face Ulinzi Stars at Kinoru on Saturday but the match has since been rescheduled for Machakos. According to Upper Eastern FKF secretary general, Ken Rungu, the situation is very disheartening for football officials who fought to bring the team in Meru County.

“This is a very sad situation. We did all we could with Murithi Nabea to bring Tusker FC to Meru and now this. We have been left wondering whether Kinoru Stadium will ever be completed? This is a big loss to the Football officials and fans in Meru. We are sending a wake up call to Meru County Government,” said Rungu.

However, according to the county executive in charge of infrastructure Newton Itoobi, construction works for the stadium are 70 percent complete and its only roofing and grassing that is remaining. “ We are done with construction of a drainage system that is underground.”

He said the stadium is like none other in the country and its standards can only be matched with Nyayo Stadium. He cited lack of information as the cause of rumors that the stadium will never be completed.

“The problems we have been facing is lack of finances. Our development vote took too long to be released from the exchequer. Many are not aware of the works going on in the stadium. We couldn’t implement anything and the contractor is back on the ground barely a month after the finances were released,” said Itoobi. He also disputed claims that money has been misappropriated, saying the Phase One construction is scheduled to cost Sh167m for the stadium that has a capacity of 10,000 fans.

The CEC encouraged fans not to lose hope, saying it’s by default that Tusker FC will resume their matches at Kinoru Stadium because it will be built to international standards and many teams are expected to express interest in the pitch. He said the work will be over before the end of April this year