Governor Kihika Revives 13-Year-Delayed Olenguruone Stadium Project

By Suleiman Mbatiah

The long-stalled Olenguruone Stadium project in Kuresoi South has finally been revived after more than 13 years of dormancy, giving hope to a stars-studded community that has waited over a decade for a proper sports facility.

The stadium, whose upgrade began on November 12, 2012, under former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, was initially budgeted at KSh 290 million and expected to be completed by the end of 2014. However, the contractor abandoned the project in 2016, leaving behind an incomplete structure.

For years, Olenguruone residents have been without a proper sports facility, leaving local youth to train on a rundown field that also serves as grazing fields, an open-air market, and a venue for political gatherings.

Now, through a new partnership between the County Government of Nakuru and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the long-forgotten dream is being brought back to life. Under the agreement, KDF will take charge of the redesign and reconstruction, with work expected to be completed within 12 months.

The modern facility will include a football pitch, running track, a 3,000-seater pavilion with a VIP section, changing rooms, ablution blocks, parking, a borehole, and a water tank, all with provisions for future expansion.

Governor Susan Kihika said the project represents a significant milestone in transforming Nakuru County into a regional hub for sports excellence, talent development, and youth empowerment, fostering new opportunities for economic and social growth.

“With its proximity to the Keringet High Altitude Sports Complex, this project strengthens our goal of building a vibrant sports ecosystem in the sports-rich Kuresoi area—creating opportunities, careers, and economic growth,” she said.

Kihika added that the new stadium may be named in honour of double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, who hails from the region, saying the gesture would celebrate her achievements and inspire a new generation of athletes.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, who officiated the handover and groundbreaking, said the collaboration between KDF and the county would ensure the stadium is completed to high standards. She praised Nakuru’s diversity and peace, calling it a model cosmopolitan county.

Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru said the project demonstrates the power of collaboration between the National and County Governments in driving development and delivering projects that directly benefit local communities across the country.

“Once completed, this facility will create new opportunities for talent development, youth empowerment, and local economic growth, marking a major step toward transforming the region’s social and economic landscape,” Mariru said.

The revival of Olenguruone Stadium comes as part of Nakuru County’s broader infrastructure agenda, which also includes the completion of Afraha Stadium in Nakuru City and the long-delayed Trauma Centre at the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, a project that has been pending since 2012.