Kiambu MCA Njogu calls for quick renovation of Ruiru Stadium

Gitothua Ward MCA in Kiambu County, John Njogu, now wants the County Government to replace the worn out low quality turf in Ruiru Stadium with grass.

The football coach cum politician says the stadium is in a dilapidated state and it is causing more harm to players especially when the rain pours over the poor drainage systems.

“If we cannot get a quality and standard carpet, I suggest we replace this with grass. If the rains fall, the stadium floods and it cannot be used, it’s a shame,” the former Thika United boss said.

The outspoken first term MCA lays blame on the previous administrations that, according to him, failed to renovate county stadiums and support sporting activities in the diverse county.

Njogu who runs a football academy in Ruiru town was elected on UDA ticket and believes the national government will work with the county governments to promote grassroots football.

In 2020, Kiambu County Government through the Kenya Urban Support Program in collaboration with Ruiru Municipality promised to upgrade Ruiru Stadium to a tune of Sh. 200 million for the year 2020/2021, a project that would have been funded by the World Bank. The promise however went unfulfilled.

The then municipal manager Fredrick Karanja Mwangi had revealed that the project was to be completed by the end of 2020/2021 financial year.

“The county government and the World Bank have been able to fund the municipality to a tune of Sh. 484 million and for the stadium, we have allocated 200 million that will elevate the stadium into one that can host national and international matches,” he said.

The upgrade was to include construction of stands, offices, changing rooms, toilets, shades and a perimeter wall.

Ruiru Stadium has been playing host to Football Kenya Federation Divisional games with Ruiru Hotstars FC using the facility as a home ground and its upgrade may attract top tier league matches.

“Due to its proximity to the capital, Nairobi, if the stadium is upgraded, I am sure premier league clubs will book this as their training ground,” Njogu added.

Currently, the stadium does not have a single seat and most of the fans watch from the outside since the erected mesh-wire fence cannot allow more than 200 people inside.

The sporting facility received a major facelift that saw the stadium carpeted and fenced with wire mesh in 2016/2017 during the tenure of Kiambu County’s first governor William Kabogo.