Shikanda rekindles talk of Leopards stadium ownership as process drags on

AFC Leopards have reignited talks with the government over the 2.8 acre land adjacent to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which was allocated to the club and Gor Mahia by the late President Daniel Arap Moi.

Speaking during the handover of the club’s task force report, club chairman Dan Shikanda reaffirmed his commitment to securing the land, claiming to be the only chairman who has actively pursued its allocation despite the club’s struggles both on and off the pitch.

Shikanda revealed that discussions with the government have progressed to the highest level, with the matter now sitting on President William Ruto’s desk. He detailed a series of meetings with key government figures, including former Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba, former Director General of Sports Kenya Pius Metto, and the President himself.

"I can go on record to say this. I am the only chairman who has pushed for this land up to this point. The last meeting we had, the entire NEC was present, including my patron. We were at State House with the Head of State, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, and the Director General of Sports Kenya. The president gave directives, and today, we have presented all the necessary paperwork," Shikanda stated.

The land was originally set to be leased for 66 years through a Cabinet memo, but President Ruto proposed an extension to 99 years. However, just as the deal seemed close to materializing, political changes halted progress. Shikanda attributed the removal of CS Ababu Namwamba from office and the height of the Gen Z protests shifted government focus away from the matter.

“Unfortunately, the GEN Z thing happened, Ababu left the office. Metto has left. I pushed it with the Metto and even with Ababu before he left, Ababu assured me 10 days, we shall be land breaking. But before those 10 days elapsed, there was change of government and change of cabinet secretaries. So where that land is, it is on the table of, I can say, the head of state, or it is in our hands,” he added.

With AFC Leopards transitioning from a society club to a corporate entity and his six-year tenure nearing its end, Shikanda is urging fans, members, and the media to keep up the pressure on the government to ensure the land allocation remains to be a topic of discussion. He emphasized the urgent need for proper football infrastructure, citing the frequent postponement of major matches like the Mashemeji Derby due to venue unavailability.

As the club undergoes structural changes, securing a permanent home,  could be a game-changer for AFC Leopards’ future.