Nakuru residents call for full completion of Afraha stadium, in light of its partial opening
Men racing to the finish line during the 100 metre heats at the fourth edition of the Betika Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting in Afraha Stadium on 4 April,2025.
Afraha Stadium came to life last weekend after four long years, hosting the fourth edition of the Betika Athletic Kenya Track and Field events.
The conversation surrounding the stadium has always been a controversial topic, evoking strong emotions among residents, especially those in the sports community, given the time it has Taken to be completed.
For some, like Ian Nzuki, returning to the stadium after four years to watch the athletic events reminded him of the good old days when his weekends were filled with excitement, watching high-intensity matches like the “Mashemeji Derby” and Ulinzi Stars, who would dominate visiting teams.
“The games held at Afraha Stadium always brought the town to a standstill. I hope today’s event is the beginning of better days to come,” he says.
As we continued conversing with Ian in the spectator stands, another individual joined the conversation.
He reminisced about how Afraha Stadium was the birthplace of the Jubilee Party, pointing out the exact spot where he remembered Uhuru and Ruto standing when they made it official.
Spectators looking on from the stands during the fourth edition of the Betika Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting at the Afraha Stadium on 4 April,2025.
Over the weekend, Mtaa Wangu produced a video and a pictorial of the stadium, and as always, these evoked mixed reactions from those who engaged with the content.
On our YouTube channel, some viewers enjoyed the video but felt short-changed, particularly due to the lack of seats at the stadium.
“Katika ulimwengu wa saa hii, bado uwanja unajengwa bila viti,” says Ibrahim Outa.
Eli Mbogo echoed these sentiments on a WhatsApp Group, emphasizing that the stadium needs to be completed once and for all.
“After four years, phase one is finally complete. How long will it take to finish the stadium?” he asks.
Another user, bradleylibese on YouTube commented that calling the stadium "stunning" was an overstatement giving reference to the title of the video.
Back at the stadium there are those who began questioning the quality of the tartan track, especially when they noticed puddles of water on it after light showers.
“Maybe this is what they meant when they said they were testing the grounds, because that water definitely shouldn’t be left there,” says one spectator sarcastically.
Others, like Hassan Hussein, are looking forward to hosting the first football match at the stadium after four long years.
“The athletics event hosted at the stadium gives us hope as the Nakuru football fraternity, as we are also looking forward to hosting our first-ever football match in the stadium in the coming month,” he says.
Afraha Stadium was closed for renovations in 2021.