Afraha annex finds new purpose as training grounds for football, volleyball teams
A volleyball pitch at Afraha Annex on 11th November, 2025.
In recent months, the Afraha Stadium Annex in Nakuru has come alive with vibrant sporting activities, particularly football and volleyball.
The once-quiet ground has transformed into a training hub, providing an alternative space for young athletes to nurture their talents and remain engaged in productive activities.
From as early as 9 a.m., groups of young people engage in football and volleyball matches, while nearby, school-going boys enjoy fun recreational games.
Additionally, the facility now has two makeshift football pitches and five makeshift volleyball Pitches, offering a much-needed variety for the growing number of volleyball enthusiasts.
Football players training at Afraha Annex on 11th November 2025.
Day by day, more young people are drawn to the grounds, eager to train and showcase their potential.
According to Geoffrey Esebwe, a coach with the Kenya Junior Volt Volleyball Academy, the team began using the facility last year after facing congestion at the Shabab Grounds.
“We used to train at Shabab Grounds, but there were too many people, both footballers and volleyball players, competing for the same space. The volleyball poles occupied a lot of room, leaving others without enough space to train,” he explains.
Esebwe recalls that the move to Afraha Annex came by chance. “I was passing by the Annex when I met a junior team coach and asked if we could share the space. He told me we could use it as long as we cleared the bushes,” he says.
The neglected section of the field was later rehabilitated by Esebwe, making it suitable for volleyball training.
Since relocating to Afraha Annex, the Kenya Junior Volt Volleyball Academy has grown to include over 40 players.
Interestingly, the facility has also attracted street children who have developed an interest in playing volleyball.
Cows graze at Afraha Annex on 11th November 2025.
Esebwe proudly notes that there has never been any conflict between the various groups using the grounds, a sign of harmony and shared purpose among the youth.
However, despite its positive transformation, the pitch has not been free from controversy. About five months ago, a post on the Nakuru County Government’s Facebook page suggested that the facility might be repurposed for an affordable housing project.
This sparked uproar among sports stakeholders in the county, who swiftly filed a formal petition with the Nakuru County Assembly to oppose the proposal.
Interestingly, the pitch is still a grazing land for some urban farmers.