Kipchoge Stadium

International athletes who are training for Kenya National Athletics team have protested over the poor state of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kapsabet. Led by the National Head Coach of Athletics, Major Julius Kirwa, the athletes protested that it was a shame that the stadium that had produced many international athletes was in a mess.  

Kirwa said, “The toilets cannot be used because they are in a pathetic state and the field is full of livestock droppings.” He said, “The stadium which is 1800M above the sea level is the best for training the national team as compared to Chepkoilel Stadium which is 2100M above sea level. There is need to improve the place since more athletes would be coming to train in the next 3 weeks.”

The perimeter wall of Kipchoge Keino stadium in Kapsabet which was built in 1958 by colonial government has collapsed and has not been repaired to date.

Read: Kapsabet municipality accused for sabotaging renovation of Kipchoge Keino stadium

The plan to train athletes in Kapsabet was arrived at because of the high altitude and athletes would be camping in town for their trainings on Tuesday and Friday. Earlier, Nandi Central District Commissioner Ahmed Abdullahi had pointed an accusing finger at Kapsabet Municipal and County Councils of delaying the process of acquiring title deed for the stadium land.

However, Kapsabet Municipal Council Clerk Hammed Dore told West Fm that the title deed was being processed and would be handed to Kipchoge Keino so that he can spearhead the renovation as he had promised. “The ministry of lands is yet to give us a tile deed. We are calling for some patience,” he said. Kapsabet Mayor Michael Rono said that that Municipality was willing to renovate the facility since it had produced many world class runners who went through the stadium.

Among world Runners who have trained at the Stadium include Emgwen MP Elijah Lagat, Sammy Kosgey, Ibrahim Hussein, Wilfred Bungei, Janet Jepkosgey and Pamela  Jelimo among others. Kirwa was speaking at the stadium in Kapsabet.