Nakuru has potential to be Kenya's sports hub
At the mention of Nakuru Athletics Club (NAC), rugby comes to mind. These grounds have hosted remarkable rugby games, with the most memorable one being the Kenya VS Zimbabwe match in 2019. It is also known for the iconic Prinsloo Sevens rugby tournaments that pulled crowds from across the country.
A few minutes away stands the historic Afraha stadium that is now a buzz of activity with the ongoing construction works. Afraha has been home to the highly spirited mashemeji derby among other memorable football matches. The home of Ulinzi Stars brings fond memories of fans trickling into the stadium every so often to watch an ongoing football match.
In 2021, Nakuru’s second Governor Lee Kinyanjui launched the Stanbic Nakuru city marathon. This brought to the fore a surprisingly high number of young people interested in athletics. At the same time, it also revealed an unknown fan base that lined up the streets cheering the athletes on.
These are a few examples, which shows that Nakuru has potential to be the country’s sports hub. The return of the World Rally Championships to Kenya and in particular Naivasha supports this premise.
Recently, the Young Entrepreneurs Network started a training workshop for residents interested in learning golf at Nakuru Golf Club. On these same grounds, nationally acclaimed golf tournaments have been held.
It is now up to the County administration to package Nakuru as the centre for sports in the region. Completion of Afraha stadium’s renovation should now be top priority. Keringet training camp should also be completed soon.
The department of Youth and Sports must also formulate ways in which the youth can benefit from the human traffic witnessed in the County during these sport activities.
The County should partner with organizers of these events and assist in marketing them to improve visibility of the event and ultimately that of Nakuru city.
At the mention of Nakuru, sports should come to mind.