By Christopher Omondi
Moi Stadium in Kisumu County is evidence of a fallen giant, as in recent years it has fallen from hosting major top-tier football events to now hosting lower division league and school games. With the county government making efforts to take care of the huge dumping site that was seen as the only hinderance into making it an international stadium back in 2018, the stadium is in a poor condition not only in terms of hygiene and sanitation but also just the turf and track and it`s failure to be paraded among grounds to host international tournaments that are scheduled to take place in the country is clear evidence of its fall.
Issues like poor drainage, inadequate facilities and lack of maintenance has left the stadium criticized for its dilapidated condition. After interacting with football fans in the stadiums during the just-completed Nyanza Region school games, it’s become clear that a lot of work needs to be done as the locals expect the administrations to help restore the stadium’s glory.
Firstly this stadium lacks essential facilities like the VIP lounges, dressing room and functional floodlights and then the drainage system is poor, making it difficult to play during and after rains’’, said Madam Annabel Sewe, who is an up-coming sports journalist. She also added that, “The overall structure of the stadium that includes: track, turf, latrines, roofs, and seats have been neglected, making the field look bushy and rusty.’’
In July 2013 the then football Kenya federation chairman, Mr. Sam Nyamweya, speaking to Daily Nation said Fifa had released Sh50 million for the project while the sports ministry also allocated Sh43 million for the expansion of the perimeter wall, fixing the terraces and the changing rooms. Five years down the line, nothing to show for the large sums of budget, with the perimeter wall constructed, but nothing tangible was done with the changing rooms. A facelift project was announced to address these issues, but no progress so far as the project was announced by President William Ruto in June 2025.
According to the Kisumu County Executive Committee in charge of sports, Beatrice Odongo, the groundbreaking ceremony was expected to start later in July, she promised the launch of a new stadium in Kisumu County.
The poor state of Moi Stadium in Kisumu significantly hinders football development, limiting opportunities for local teams with Kisumu-based teams like Kisumu All Stars and Real Kogalo to play at their home ground, hindering performance, reducing pride and motivation. The inability to host major games has made it substandard while also missing out on economic opportunities.
