Calls for intervention grow louder as Ruiru Stadium’s poor state prevents local youth from training, hosting matches
By Oliver Musembi, July 31, 2024Football players in Ruiru, Kiambu County are crying foul over the dilapidated local stadium, which has become unusable due to neglect.
The pitch has been in a state of disrepair for several years, with the turf peeling off and causing injuries to players.
At the weekend, local youths had to remove the damaged turf manually.
Players and football officials are now pleading with the county and national governments to repair or rebuild the facility. They argue that the sport helps keep youths from engaging in anti-social behavior, such as drug and alcohol abuse.
Thomas Kamau, an official of one of the local teams, said the stadium has been hosting more than 50 teams.
However, they are now forced to hire football grounds elsewhere, with the cheapest costing Sh20,000.
“For more than a year now, we have been booking the M-Pesa Foundation grounds in Thika for Sh20,000 per match because our home field at Ruiru Stadium has been closed by FKF due to its condition,” averred Kamau, who leads Majengo FC, a Division One team.
He explained that besides keeping the youth busy, Ruiru Stadium used to attract thousands of football fans and generate revenue for the teams. Now, the surrounding ground is muddy and waterlogged.
Juliet Mbithe, a ladies’ football player from the neighboring Majengo area, said many of her teammates no longer practice at the stadium due to the risk of injury.
“We cannot continue like this. We are appealing to Governor Kimani Wamatangi to address this issue. Many of my peers have turned to drugs or gotten pregnant after missing out on football games, which keep us occupied and away from mischief,” she stated.
A coach for Ruiru All Stars and Ruiru Sports Academy, which trains young children, Nephat Mbugua, said many youngsters have withdrawn from training sessions due to injuries sustained from falling on the rough field.
“The biggest challenge we face is players tripping on the rough field and falling during training. The children also do not return because their parents fear they will get injured.”
The players and their coaches also rejected plans to move the stadium from Ruiru town to the neighboring Tatu City, which they say is inconvenient for them.
Isaac Nyaga, a coach for Majengo Stars, maintained that the proposal to relocate the stadium from the Ruiru Central Business District and convert the grounds into a matatu stage is ill-advised.
He stated: “We do not support the idea of moving the stadium to Tatu City since not many fans can travel there due to the distance.”