"Sports is not respected in Nakuru County!"

These are the words of Rexlye Randa, also known as Coach Rex, head coach of Super Naks FC, as he expressed his frustration over the ongoing delay in the reopening of Afraha Stadium.

His sentiments echo the feelings of many stakeholders in the local sports community, who feel stuck and sidelined by the prolonged closure.

Rexlye Randa during the Old Town Hall meeting between sports stakeholders and Nakuru County Government over the status of Afraha Stadium on January 16.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

Randa points out that the delay has deprived the youth of something they love and value.

"Youth are passionate about football. Whether they play or watch, the stadium provides a space for them to connect with the sport. Without it, there’s a disconnect," he explains.

Nakuru he says, has a wealth of untapped talent, with Afraha Stadium serving as a key venue for scouts.

"We have so many talented players in Nakuru. Scouting is a crucial way of identifying and nurturing this talent. Afraha is well known and easily accessible to scouts. But with the stadium still closed, so much talent is going to waste that could be used in national and international teams," he says.

Randa also highlights the stadium's strategic importance in fostering unity.

"Sports has a unique power to bring people together, and Afraha Stadium is at the heart of it. Right now, the youth in Nakuru West and Nakuru East are separated, as there is no central place for them to meet and interact. This division is detrimental," he says.

Sarah Nyambura, another concerned local, describes the current situation as desperate, but says the players continue to endure due to their love for the game.

Sarah Nyambura during the Old Town Hall meeting between sports stakeholders and Nakuru County Government over the status of Afraha Stadium on January 16.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/Mtaa Wangu

"The players from St Joseph FC train at Afraha B, the secondary field next to the main stadium. But the conditions are far from ideal. The pitch is dusty and discourages spectators. This situation is damaging the sports culture in Nakuru," Sarah Nyambura says.

Sarah also emphasizes on the broader economic impact that an operational stadium could have.

"An active stadium would create numerous business opportunities for the youth—selling food, jerseys, and other items. This would not only provide self-employment but also help keep the youth away from crime, especially in Nakuru’s informal settlements," she says.

James Mbugua recalls the days when his para-volleyball team would train at Afraha Stadium and travel across the country for tournaments. But the stadium’s closure and the delay in its reopening led to the team’s downfall.

"I was part of a para-volleyball team from 2016 until 2020, when we were told the stadium would close for just 18 months for renovations. But that timeline was not honored," he says.

"Without a place to train, our team started losing matches at tournaments. Over time, morale dropped, and eventually, everyone went their separate ways," Mbugua laments.

Earlier this week the County government had come out to defend itself over the prolonged reopening of Afraha stadium.

County secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura asked Nakuru residents to give the county an additional four months to complete the renovations and reopen the stadium.

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Bret Sanya