Ruiru Stadium is soon set to undergo a Sh200 million upgrade.
This is after the World Bank, through the Kenya Urban Support Programme, gave a Sh1.8 billion grant for development projects in the six municipalities in Kiambu county.
Of the amount, Kikuyu will get Sh534 million, Ruiru (Sh484 million), Thika (Sh305 million), Karuri (Sh233 million), Kiambu (Sh167 million) and Limuru (Sh160 million).
Ruiru Municipal manager Fredrick Karanja told journalists that the stadium project is part of the Sh484 million projects that will be undertaken in the municipality.
Karanja said among the works that will be undertaken is the construction of stands and shades to hold 5,000 football fans, offices, changing rooms and lavatories. He said the project is expected to be complete by early next year.
“Currently, there’s no single seat in the stadium and fans are forced to watch football matches while standing. Again, the space is so small such that it can only hold not more than 200 fans. We will improve the standards of the stadium so that it can host national and international matches," Karanja said.
Ruiru stadium has been playing host to Football Kenya Federation Divisional games with Ruiru Hotstars FC using the facility as a home ground. The stadium's upgrade will attract top tier league matches.
In 2016 during former Governor William Kabogo’s regime, the stadium that used to be mushy received a major facelift. It was carpeted and fenced with wire mesh.
Kiambu Urban Areas Programme coordinator Martin Kangiri said that other projects to be implemented by Ruiru Municipality include construction of a 12-kilometre secondary sewer line.
“More people will be connected to sewer services in Ruiru and their living standards will be improved. Also waterborne diseases that have been prone in these areas will be a thing of the past once the project is complete,” Kangiri said.
Edited by A.N