A storm is brewing in Kapsabet after a group of athletes, led by retired sprinting legend Tecla Chemabwai Sang, moved to court to block the planned demolition of the famous Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
 |
| A photo of a stalled Kipchoge Keino Stadium Kapsabet |
The Nandi County Government wants to bring down the stadium and in its place put up an ultra-modern market and housing project. But the athletes are not taking it lightly. They argue that the stadium is more than just a playground. It is a national monument, a training ground for champions, and a piece of Nandi’s cultural identity.
According to the petition filed at the High Court in Eldoret, residents had already rejected the idea during a public participation forum in December 2024. Lawyer Kibe Mungai, speaking on behalf of the athletes, told the court that the county government ought to have respected the people’s voice instead of pushing ahead with the project. Justice Patrick Otieno has already certified the case as urgent, with the county and other respondents now expected to file their responses.
For the petitioners, the stadium holds deep significance. Built in the 1970s and later upgraded in 2016 at a cost of nearly Sh300 million, it has been home to countless athletes and national events. Many believe tearing it down would not only waste taxpayers’ money but also rob young people of opportunities, since athletics is one of the biggest sources of livelihood in the region.
The county, however, has different plans. It wants to move sports activities to the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex, turn the stadium’s 8.7-acre land into a new market, convert the current market into a bus and matatu park, and use part of the showground for affordable housing. While the county insists this will boost urban growth and create jobs, the athletes feel it will destroy green spaces, ruin the environment, and benefit only a few powerful interests.
For now, the matter is in court. The athletes, including big names like Sammy Kiplagat, Wilson Cheseret, Vivian Biwott, and William Koskei, are pushing for orders to stop the county from carrying out the project until the petition is fully heard.
The case has sparked heated debate in Nandi, with many residents torn between development and heritage. On one side, the county argues it is opening up Kapsabet town for growth. On the other, athletes and locals believe that bringing down Kipchoge Keino Stadium would erase a vital part of the region’s sporting history.
Comments
Post a Comment