Hussein assures Baba Dogo Community Ground will not be lost

Mohammed was speaking at the Baba Dogo Sports Extravaganza in Nairobi on Sunday, August 23, at the ground formerly known as Baba Dogo Grounds and now renamed the Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex.

The FKF president, who said he has been involved in efforts to protect the ground for about two decades, recalled his association with Baba Dogo dating back to the founding of the Super 8 tournament.

He told residents that the playing field would not be lost despite the long-running dispute surrounding the land.

“Therefore, my first assurance to you is: this field is going nowhere. This pitch will remain for the Baba Dogo community,” Mohammed said.

The remarks come against the backdrop of the dispute over the grounds. President William Ruto intervened in 2025 after Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo appealed to him to help secure the facility for the community. Ruto subsequently pledged to upgrade the ground and rename it after Odhiambo.

The venue is now officially being referred to as the Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex, with Mohammed using the new name during Sunday's event.

Mohammed said the focus should now shift towards implementing the plans for the facility, with construction being the immediate priority.

“The second point: we are now going to put strategies in place to ensure construction begins as soon as possible,” he said.

He urged residents to remain committed to protecting the interests of the community, drawing on his long association with Baba Dogo.

“So let us not get tired of fighting for the interests of our community. I am your own son right here in Baba Dogo. I have walked this journey with you.”

The FKF president further linked the future of the facility to opportunities for young people, saying the community must consider the needs of the next generation.

Referring to President Ruto’s Beyond 2030 initiative, Mohammed said the focus should extend to children who will benefit from facilities such as the Baba Dogo ground.

“Therefore, even here in Baba Dogo, for the next generation we must begin looking out for their interests, the interests of these young children,” he said.

The ground has for years served as a football venue for residents of Baba Dogo and surrounding areas, with its future remaining a major concern for the community.

Mohammed’s latest assurance now puts the focus on moving from previous commitments towards the construction and development of the facility, while ensuring it remains available to the Baba Dogo community.