Wamatangi commissions upgrading of Thika Stadium

Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi has Friday morning commissioned the upgrading of Thika Stadium.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony in Thika, Wamatangi said that the facelift will be done in two phases, where the first phase will see among other upgrades, increase the capacity of the stadium by completing stalled stands.

The project will also involve leveling of the pitch, new paintings and construction of modern stalls to accommodate business centres around the stadium.

According to the Governor, the second stage will see the contractor construct a swimming pool, a gymnasium and a modern athletics track in the stadium.

"We will allocate a huge amount of money to this stadium in the next budget that we are working on at the moment and by the end of this year, Thika stadium will also serve as a tourist attraction site, we will attract athletes from different parts of the world with this modern facility," he said.

However, Wamatangi did not disclose how much money will be spent to complete what he termed as a major project.

Sources close to the governor however told Citizen Digital that the first phase has been allocated close to Sh.40 million, and as approved by the County Assembly.

The 5000-capacity-stadium has been a mess for years now, receiving bans after bans from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) not to hold Premier League matches owing to its poor status.

Different stakeholders including football players, coaches and spectators have been calling for the upgrade of the facility.

Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika who accompanied her boss projects that the facility will boost businesses in Thika town, once the upgrading is completed.

"Having a modern stadium will attract more opportunities for businesses around here, and our youth will also spend more time working on and discovering their talents.

“That means they will not be involved in evil activities like drug and substance abuse," she highlighted.

Thika Stadium hosted Bidco United, a Kenya Premier League side, for the whole of 2022/2023 season but the manufacturers relocated to Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi for the 2023/2024 season.

On the other side, the stadium has been at the centre of Thika politics, with some leaders proposing the relocation of the facility away from the industrial town.

Member of Parliament for Thika Town Constituency Alice Ng'ang'a has been leading campaigns to have the facility moved to another public land, saying that would “decongest the busy town.”