In a dramatic display of frustration, youths from Kibra Constituency forcefully occupied Woodley Grounds due to the stalled renovations of the facility.
This action led to significant chaos, with roads in Woodley Estate being barricaded and police having to use teargas to disperse the crowds.
The Woodley Grounds are part of a larger five-stadium upgrade initiative that was started by former Governor Mike Sonko, with an allocation of not less than Sh1 billion.
The initiative included the renovation of Ziwani, Kangemi’s, and Kihumbuini stadiums.
However, only Dandora Stadium has been completed, and that too was after a prolonged legal battle over the funds utilized.
Current Governor Johnson Sakaja had assured the completion of the remaining projects, specifically highlighting Woodley Stadium.
The financial commitments to these projects were substantial, with Sh350 million allocated for Dandora Stadium, Sh250 million each for Kihumbuini and Woodley, and Sh186.6 million for Ziwani.
Despite these allocations, progress has been disappointingly slow.
According to Coach Odhis, the closure of Woodley Stadium has imposed significant financial burdens and logistical challenges on local teams. He mentioned that the lack of accessible and affordable fields forced him to let his players join other teams. This has strained the local sports community and hindered the development of local talent.
Woodley Stadium, built over 50 years ago by the Scottish community and later sold to the Nairobi City Council, is the only stadium in Kibra.
It serves over 30 teams and schools, making it a vital facility for the community. Its closure since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has led to a waste of talent and exacerbated social issues such as teenage pregnancies and increased insecurity in the area.
The community is calling on the county government to prioritize the completion of the renovations and restore the facility to its former glory.
Despite a groundbreaking ceremony in August 2023 for the rehabilitation of Woodley and Joe Kadenge Stadium (formerly known as City Stadium) and the approval of an additional Ksh238.9 million in the 2023-2024 Supplementary Budget, significant progress remains elusive.
This prolonged delay has left fans and residents frustrated and demanding accountability and tangible action from their leaders.
