Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, has expressed his frustration over the prolonged closure of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, which has impacted the training schedules of many athletes, including himself. The closures have come as part of a renovation effort to prepare the venues for upcoming international sports events, but according to Omanyala, the pace of the renovations has been too slow, resulting in athletes being forced to train under less-than-ideal conditions.
Omanyala, whose 100m African record stands at 9.77 seconds, has highlighted the strain that the stadium closures have placed on athletes who depend on these facilities to prepare for the new season. The renovations, which began with the closure of the Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, have left athletes scrambling for alternative training venues, and Omanyala has specifically pointed out the challenge of training on murram tracks.
For athletes at the highest level, access to quality tracks is essential for fine-tuning their performance, and Omanyala believes that the lack of suitable facilities has delayed his preparation for the 2025 season. He expressed disappointment that the situation has reached this point, especially given the time it has taken to address the issue. “People have been training on murram tracks, and it’s unfortunate because we’ve taken too long to address this issue,” Omanyala said. “The stadiums should have been completed by now. Kasarani has been closed for a year, and you can imagine the impact that has had. There’s no other stadium that has been able to fill the gap, and now the season is here.”
Despite the setbacks, Omanyala has managed to adapt by training at the Athletics Tartan track at Kenyatta University. The facility is a standard-sized track that has hosted various competitions in the past, including serving as the Games Village for the U18 and U20 World Athletics Championships. Omanyala has been using the track for the past four months as his main training ground, but he admits that it is not an ideal replacement for Kasarani or Nyayo, which are typically used by top athletes in the country.
The closure of these two major stadiums for renovations is part of Kenya’s efforts to improve its sports infrastructure in preparation for major international tournaments. Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums are being revamped to host the upcoming African Nations Championships, which was rescheduled to August 2025, and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. These events will require state-of-the-art facilities to meet international standards, and the renovations are expected to play a significant role in elevating Kenya’s status as a host for global sporting events.
Despite the ongoing construction, progress has been reported in some areas. Phase II of renovations at Kasarani Stadium, which was expected to be completed ahead of the August tournament, is reportedly moving forward well. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) have both provided updates on the renovations, assuring that the stadium will be ready in time. A key milestone has been the resumption of the canopy installation, which is one of the major upgrades being made to the venue. Additionally, the VIP section of the stadium is undergoing significant improvements, including the installation of retractable seats, which are now making notable progress.
While these renovations are important for the long-term future of Kenya’s sports infrastructure, the current situation has left many athletes in a difficult position. Omanyala’s comments serve as a reminder of the challenges that athletes face when training facilities are not up to standard. The disruption caused by the stadium closures has been particularly frustrating for top-level competitors, who need access to high-quality tracks to ensure they are in peak condition for international competitions.
As the renovations continue, it is hoped that alternative facilities will be made available to athletes to ensure they can continue their training uninterrupted. In the meantime, the government and relevant authorities will need to prioritize the completion of the stadiums to avoid further disruptions to the training of Kenyan athletes who rely on these facilities for success in their careers.
