Kenya to build two modern sports stadia

Fred Muteti

Nairobi, May 23 (IANS)

Kenya will commence construction of two modern sports stadia in October, a media report said on Saturday.

Fred Muteti, Chairman of Sports Kenya and the precursor of the Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB), said in Nairobi on Friday the organisation has entered into negotiations with two European countries, ahead of the planned construction of the arenas.

"We have approached Norway and Sweden each to help us put up a stadium at sea level in Mombasa and another one in the high altitude area of Eldoret," Muteti told Xinhua.

According to Muteti, the proposed state-of-the-art facilities will enable Kenya to host international sporting events to the magnitude of the Olympic Games and the World Cup.

Kenya recently undertook refurbishment of the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium, which was built in 1987 for the 4th All Africa Games as donation from the Chinese government, at the cost of 10 million U.S. dollars through a grant to Kenya by China.

Refurbishment of Moi Stadium in Kisumu and Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret were undertaken in partnership with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and other stakeholders.

Muteti said three other stadia will be built by Public Private Partnership after completion of the two to bring the number of new arenas to five.