Inspiration Behind Kenya's Largest Stadium Design
The stadium’s sitting capacity is 60,000 people. Safaricom, the telecommunication company in Kenya won the naming rights of the stadium in 2014.
Victor Kiplagat
Kasarani Stadium in Kenya is one of the most outstanding sports venues in the Country. This stadium has existed since construction works began in 1987 and renovation works have taken place from time to time.
The Kasarani indoor Arena hosts basketball, tennis, swimming competitions, and volleyball just to mention but a few. It is interesting to note that construction works began in earnest after Kenya won the bid to host the 4th All African Games in 1987.
The stadium’s sitting capacity is 60,000 people. Safaricom, the telecommunication company in Kenya won the naming rights of the stadium and hence it was referred to as Safaricom Stadium Kasarani. This occurred in 2014.
This iconic stadium where sporting history has been written and various athletics events hosted is commonly referred to as the “Home of Heroes”. The design was fashioned in the following way:
Chinese architect Wang Defu thought of the aerial view of the stadium as a flower. Additionally, in its inception, the stadium had wooden benches in places of the lower terraces.
Furthermore, the 60,000- seater stadium was adjacent to a police station, a shopping center, and a rail system that transported fans to and from the stadium.
The presidential suite was purposely built to accommodate very important dignitaries during sporting events. In the same vein, the presidential suite was mostly used by the late President Daniel Toriritich Arap Moi for ensuring his guests had a great time while in the stadium and were also well entertained.
[File image of Kasarani Stadium. Photo/Courtesy]
This stadium is managed by the Sports Stadia management board. Apart from hosting international sporting events over the years, this iconic stadium has generated revenue in the entertainment industry during concerts. Moreover, corporates have held their AGM in this facility. Hotels near this sporting arena have grown in leaps and bounds as when week-long sports events take place, the hotels offer accommodation and delicious Kenyan delicacies and a mix of well acclaimed international cuisine.
In 2010, the stadium ceased hosting sporting events as major renovations took center stage. The upgrades were to the tune of a whooping Ksh.1 billion.
Two years later, further refurbishment works were geared towards making the “home of heroes” a world-class sporting facility. The comprehensive renovation was in the following areas:
A modernized running track, installation of new seats, a red-carpet area that proudly hosts VIPs from across the globe during sports events or even important national holidays, washrooms, staircase, and dressing rooms.
The renovations advanced improvements on the presidential suite to befit international dignitaries from across the globe. Famous sporting events that have been held in Kasarani Stadium include the 2017 IAAF World U18 Championships and the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships which were very successful. 958 athletes participated in the event and 116 National Associations were in attendance.
[File image of Kasarani Stadium. Photo/Courtesy]
This stadium offers much growth potential for businesses adjacent to this sporting facility. In addition, the real estate sector continues to thrive where the sports facility in the country are world-class and of the highest sporting professional standards.
The infrastructure around the stadia such as roads, hospitals, and social amenities benefits the citizens and sports fanatics.
Kenya’s prowess in athletics has attracted tourists from across the globe to see what makes the Kenyan athletes stand out. This has hugely boosted the economy. It is no wonder that famous and well-decorated athletes such as the Brit Mo Farah have visited Kenya and trained in Iten.
The architectural design of stadia in Kenya should be world-class so that Kenya to win bids to host international sporting events and in doing so the economy will thrive and businesses will grow. If well managed, the sporting industry will solve the unemployment crisis in Kenya, and the real estate sector will boost the country’s economy by double digits.
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