Led by club Deputy Patron Eliud Owalo and chairman Ambrose Rachier, who were joined by newly elected officials led by Sally Bolo, the record Kenyan champions conducted a site visit to assess land suitability for the construction of the stadium on April 24th.
The club assessed the suitability of a 48-acre piece of land in Lukenya, next to Daystar University in Machakos County for the purposes of putting up a state-of-the-art stadium and Sports Complex that will not only anchor the club but elevate its brand on the continental stage.
According to Owalo, the proposed infrastructure will entail the main stadium with a seating capacity of 60,000 fans, three training pitches (for senior, youth and Queens teams), accommodation apartments for players, and a four-star Hotel.
Other amenities in the complex include an indoor gym and convertible gymnasium, club offices, a media centre, a swimming pool, recovery facilities including a sauna, an administration block, a merchandise store, retail outlets, washrooms and ample parking.
“We made a promise, to find a suitable location for the construction of a Gor Mahia stadium, and we’re here turning that promise into action,” said Owalo after the site visit. “This site’s proximity to Nairobi makes it ideal. It’s accessible no matter how fans travel - by car, bus, or even by foot if they’re as passionate as we know they are.”
On his part, Rachier said: “We just pray that God gives us the wisdom and ability to do the construction that we intend to do.”
Despite being the most successful club in Kenyan history, with 21 Premier League titles to their name, Gor Mahia have lacked the infrastructure to match its stature. Their plans to own a stadium have been in the offing for many years, but have on many occasions stalled either due to lack of funds, land disputes, or changes in club leadership.
Gor Mahia have been using venues in Nairobi for their league and continental matches. The venues include Nairobi City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, and Kasarani Stadium. Similarly, outside the City, they have been taking matches to Machakos Stadium, and Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
Gor Mahia must approach 'noble venture' with open mindset
According to Bolo, who was recently elected to serve in the club’s management for the next four years as the Vice-Chairman, despite the intentions to build the stadium sparking debate regarding the location of the proposed facility, it was important that the club approached the noble venture with an open and objective mindset.
“The steps being taken to ensure Gor Mahia builds and/or owns its own stadium are not only commendable but, to say the least, long overdue,” said Bolo. “In my honest opinion, the Gor Mahia stadium is a step in the right direction.
“This move has sparked debates from all quarters, with no one out rightly opposing the project, but there are concerns regarding the location of the proposed facility. It is important to approach this noble venture with an open and objective mindset.”
Bolo went ahead to explain why it was necessary to have the stadium constructed in Nairobi, saying Gor Mahia’s historical and continued ties to Nairobi were second to none:
“Gor Mahia was founded in Nairobi and has been based there since 1968. Its registered home grounds are in Nairobi, and although the club occasionally takes home games to Kisumu or, more recently, to Homa-Bay (subject to federation approval), Nairobi remains the heart of the club.
"Moreover, the club’s origins as a community-based institution, registered under the Societies Act, should not be overlooked although we are now under the Sports Act.
“The founder members, highly intellectual men (the late Tom Mboya, Samuel Ayany, Prof Bethwell Allan Ogot, Zack Ramogo etc), could have chosen to base the club exclusively within the confines of the Luo community, but their decision to set it in Nairobi was deliberate and inclusive. This historical connection with Nairobi should be considered in the planning of the new stadium.”
Stadiums in Western Kenya have poor investment returns
Despite Kenya having stadiums in the Western part of Kenya, Bolo questioned how often these facilities were being used for high-profile international events and what has been the return on investment (ROI) from these stadia so far.
“It is important to recognize that there are already several stadiums in the western region, including two in Kisumu, one in Siaya and another in Homa-Bay, with plans for a new one in Migori County. The critical question here is: How often are these facilities used for high-profile international events? What has been the return on investment (ROI) from these stadia so far?” offered Bolo.
“Furthermore, the state of the local football clubs in these areas, especially those in the top-flight leagues, is another important factor. Are these clubs drawing crowds large enough to fill these stadia and generate substantial revenue that could contribute to their upkeep and improvement to international standards?”
According to Bolo, building Gor Mahia's stadium in Nairobi will give the club commercial viability hence boosting their financial sustainability. “I fully support the choice of the proposed stadium’s location for the following reasons:
"The new stadium should be viewed primarily as a commercial venture. It will allow the club to save enormous amounts currently spent on hiring training grounds for the senior, youth, and women’s teams. Additionally, the club will no longer need to rent stadiums for home matches for both local and international. Instead, the facility will generate revenue by allowing other KPL or national teams to rent the grounds, while the amenities around the facility will further increase its profitability.”
She added that building the stadium will enable the club to comply with world governing body FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Regulations.
“The FIFA and CAF regulations require that matches played at venues more than 200km outside the capital city must have the home team cover the cost of chartering a flight for the away team and match officials, in addition to the logistics for the home team,” explained Bolo.
“This regulation significantly raises the costs for any club that is not based in Nairobi. By having a stadium within the Nairobi environment, Gor Mahia will avoid these additional expenses, making international matches more feasible and financially sustainable.”
She continued: “Once completed, the stadium will not only serve Gor Mahia but will also accommodate other sports disciplines, making it ideal for hosting top-tier events. Its proximity to the airport and Mombasa Road makes it highly accessible, further boosting its potential as a hub for international sports and entertainment events.
“The distance from Nairobi CBD to Kasarani Stadium is similar to the proposed Gor Mahia stadium site along Mombasa Road. However, the new location’s proximity to the expressway will reduce travel time, making it more convenient for fans. Transport fares to the stadium will also be affordable, making it accessible for a larger fan base.”
Bolo concluded: “While concerns about the location of the new stadium are valid, it is crucial to view the project as a long-term investment that will benefit the club, the metropolitan city of Nairobi, and the broader Kenyan sports community. Gor Mahia, while rooted in the Luo community, has long transcended ethnic boundaries to become a national symbol.
“The club has attracted players from diverse Kenyan communities and across Africa. Notable examples include Innocent Mutiso, Francis Kahata, Nicholas Kipkirui, Haroun Shakava, Musa Mohammed, Charles Momonyi, Lukwam, Rama Salim, and many others. Today as we speak, the club continues to draw talent from various ethnicities and countries.
‘The facility will not only improve the club’s operational efficiency but also create a sustainable revenue stream, ensuring that Gor Mahia remains competitive at both local and international levels.”
Formed in 1968, Gor Mahia have won the Kenyan Premier League a record 21 times, and have won the FKF President’s Cup a record 11 times. They are the first and only team from Kenya to win an African continental title to date, having won the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1987 after previously reaching the final in 1979.
In 1976, Gor Mahia won the national league unbeaten, and repeated the same feat 39 years later under the leadership of Frank Nuttall. They are currently chasing a third consecutive title, as they sit third in the 18-team league table with 50 points, two fewer than leaders Kenya Police FC and one less than second-placed Tusker.
