The Kenya Premier League has banned the use of five stadia for hosting the Top flight matches. Through a statement on their official website, the ban which takes effect immediately will be on until the recommendations for the face lift are met.
The Stadia Safety and Security Committee has banned the below stadia from hosting league matches
- Ruaraka Sports Ground
- Mumias Sports Complex
- Thika Sub County Stadium
- Camp Toyoyo
- Chemelil Sports Complex
The statement reads.
The teams hard hit by the ban include 2016 KPL champions Tusker FC who use the Ruaraka Sports ground as their home ground while various teams in Western Kenya use the Mumias Sports complex. Camp Toyoyo was also home to a host of Nairobi based sides including Posta Rangers and Mathare United.
As it currently stands, Nairobi County has only one available Stadium, Kasarani International Sports Complex. Nyayo National stadium is still under renovation( for a whole year!) while City Stadium’s last competitive Kenya Premier League fixture was well over two years ago.
The Kenyatta Stadium Machakos, Moi Stadium in Kisumu, Mbaraki and Kinoru in Mombasa and Meru respectively are the other 4 available venues for the 18 teams plying their trade in Kenya’s top tier league.
Much has been said about the moves been made to improve the level of football in Kenya, provision of adequate top level facilities however still remains unattended to. Teams affected are yet to comment on the issue. Last year’s campaigns were littered with promises of 5 World Class Stadia but as things stand a year later, its one mediocre stadium for 4 or 5 Premier League teams!
Nurture young talents, they said.