Nyahururu Stadium to be renamed after the late Samuel Wanjiru

Athletics Kenya Laikipia County branch will push for the Nyahururu Stadium to be renamed after former Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru Stadium.

The officials said that the move is aimed at  attracting sponsors who will help in renovating the famous facility.

Laikipia County Athletics branch chair John Wachira says the facility is in pathetic condition thus hindering  athletes from training in it.

The county is home to the highest number of training camps after north Rift– the spiritual home of athletics.

The stadium is also home to athletics icons including the late Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, the first Kenyan Olympic Marathon Gold medalist. Wanjiru died on May 15, 2011 under unclear circumstances.

“The facility is in pathetic state and even during Mashujaa Day celebrations, cars get into the running area, messing everything up,”Wachira said.

Wachira added: “NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino promised us a name change would play a big role in getting funding; our hope now rests with the county government and the current NOCK chairman.”

Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties Athletes Welfare Association (NYAPI) chairman, Samuel Ndungu Wanjiku, said the rich history of the stadium might easily be eroded if efforts are not made to rehabilitate it.

“As Athletes from the region, we are in support of the name change. Samuel Wanjiru was a strong athlete who brought fame to this region, by renaming the stadium after him; the upcoming athletes will want to emulate him,”Ndungu said. “We have so many problems here; it’s the rainy season and we can’t even train at the stadium. Let the county government help us by renovating it.”

Laikipia County athletics branch has written to the county government in order to start the process of renaming the stadium.

“We are looking forward to a stadium with a tartan track, all Kenyan gold medallist have trained here,except David Rudisha,”Wachira added.

Nyahururu Stadium is home to former cross Country ace John Ngugi, Kipchoge Keino, Tom Nyariki and Martin Mathathi. It also hosts former national 10,000 meters champion Bedan karoki, Julius Ndegwa and Mary Wangari.