Afraha annex row: Sports stakeholders file petition at Nakuru county assembly

Sports stakeholders in Nakuru have filed a formal petition with the Nakuru County Assembly, objecting to the proposed repurposing of Afraha Stadium Annex from a sports facility into an affordable housing project.

This petition came days after a post (Which was later pulled down), made by the county government noting that Afraha Annex land will be used for the affordable housing projects.

In the petition dated June 17, 2025, the stakeholders, led by Hussein Hassan and others, are urging the County Assembly to intervene, in what they describe as an ill-considered move that threatens the county’s sports development and youth empowerment efforts.

The petitioners argue that Afraha Stadium Annex land was specifically designated for auxiliary expansion to the main stadium.

This includes the development of training pitches, warm-up areas, establishment of community-based sports academies, and the creation of safe, accessible recreational zones for Nakuru youth.

They claim that the land conversion is not only contrary to the original intent of the space, but also violates several legal provisions, including:

• Article 10 of the Constitution, which calls for public participation and transparency. Where they say no public participation took place.
• Article 42 and 69(1)(d), which guarantee the right to a clean and healthy environment, including access to public open spaces for recreation.
• Article 55 and 56, which require the state to ensure youth access to opportunities for development and recreation.
• The Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), which mandates proper procedures; including public consultation, zoning reviews, and environmental impact assessments, before any change of land use.

The petition warns that converting the stadium's annex into residential use would undermine the spirit of donor-supported urban infrastructure programs, such as the World Bank funded Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP), which had earmarked the area for sports development.

The petitioners are calling for immediate cessation of all plans related to the repurposing of the Afraha Stadium Annex and insist on adherence to lawful, inclusive, and youth-centred development policies.

Following the submission of this petition, the sports stakeholders held peaceful demonstrations along Moi Road, where they marched protesting against the move by the county noting that such acts undermine the law and the voices of Nakuru residents.

The demos were however short-lived, after police came and dispersed the protestors.