By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 10 December 2025 - The national government has announced that it would lead the groundbreaking of the new Moi Stadium in Kisumu, a modern 10,000-seater facility set to transform sports in western Kenya.
This was revealed after Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili was hosted by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya for a series of high-level consultations at the Department of Defence Headquarters.
Dr Owili, who has championed the project since its conception, said the decision marked a turning point for young athletes whose talents often go unnoticed.
“Our county is full of gifted young people who train in inadequate spaces and still manage to shine,” Owili said after the meeting.
“Building a modern stadium is not just about infrastructure; it’s about giving our youth a fair shot. It’s about telling them their dreams matter as much as anyone else’s.”
The meeting, attended by key county officials including CEC for Sports Beatrice Odongo, CEC for Lands and Physical Planning Charles K’Onyango, County Sports Director Brian Muga, and Public Works engineer Jack Abong, brought together local aspirations and national support at a moment when Kenya is positioning itself more prominently on the international sports stage.
The discussion unfolded much like a development forum, blending policy, planning, and the personal stories of athletes who stand to benefit.
CS Tuya, who will play a central role in steering the project, described the redevelopment as both a patriotic commitment and an investment in Kenya’s global sporting profile.
“Sports unite us, they inspire us, and they elevate our country on the international front,” CS Tuya said.
“By modernising Moi Stadium, we are not just building a facility, we are building opportunity. We are preparing the next generation of champions who will carry our flag beyond our borders.”
Though the project is technical in nature, the conversation often returned to the people who will use the stadium: children running barefoot on uneven fields, local football teams that travel long distances for proper training grounds, and athletes who train at dawn before heading to school or work.
For them, the new stadium is not simply concrete and seating—it is the possibility of being seen.
Dr Owili spoke passionately about the human stories behind the blueprint.
“I’ve met young footballers and runners whose dedication is unbelievable,” he said.
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“Some of them train on dusty grounds with makeshift goalposts, yet they play with such heart. When we break ground on this stadium, we break ground on their futures too.”
International sports experts have long argued that accessible, well-designed facilities are crucial for nurturing talent and strengthening local economies.
As Kenya continues to host regional tournaments and participate in global athletics, the Moi Stadium redevelopment aligns with a wider conversation about infrastructure readiness and youth empowerment—a common theme in international sports conferences.
The Department of Defence, which has increasingly taken on national development roles, assured the delegation that technical standards would meet modern international benchmarks.
Tuya emphasised that the stadium’s design would cater to multiple sports while ensuring inclusivity.
“We want a facility that serves everyone—footballers, athletes, families, and fans,” she noted.
“A stadium is a community space, and it must feel like home.”
For the county officials accompanying the governor, the day’s discussions represented months of groundwork.
Ms Odongo highlighted the positive ripple effects the stadium could have on local leagues, coaching programmes, and talent identification initiatives.
Engineer Abong underscored the importance of durable, future-proof construction, especially as the region anticipates hosting larger sporting events.
As the meeting concluded, it became clear that the groundbreaking ceremony would symbolise far more than the start of construction. It would be a moment of collective pride—an affirmation that local dreams can command national attention.
Dr Owili said "building something that will outlive us "is a noble idea and it will make it possible for children and athletes to step onto the field and believe that anything is possible.”
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