First Kenyan woman Olympian runs to court to save Kipchoge Keino Stadium
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 26.08.25. | 15:07
The case, filed at the High Court in Eldoret, has been certified urgent by Justice Patrick Otieno
A group of former and current athletes has taken the Nandi County government to court in a bid to stop the planned demolition of the iconic Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kapsabet.
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The petitioners, led by trailblazer Tecla Chemabwai Sang, the first Kenyan woman to participate in the Olympic Games, want the High Court to quash the county’s plan to replace the facility with an ultra-modern market and housing project.
Through their lawyer, Kibe Mungai, the athletes argue that the plans are unlawful and disregard the views of residents, who overwhelmingly opposed the proposal during a public participation forum held in December 2024.
“In a constitutional democracy like Kenya, the respondents were required to abandon the plans once residents expressed overwhelming disapproval,” Mungai stated in court papers.
The case, filed at the High Court in Eldoret, has been certified urgent by Justice Patrick Otieno.
The respondents, including the Nandi County government, the County Assembly, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Housing, the National Land Commission, and the Attorney-General, have been directed to file responses to the suit.
The petitioners describe the Kipchoge Keino Stadium as a national sports monument and a cultural heritage site for the Nandi community and Kenyans at large.
Built in the 1970s and refurbished in 2016 for Ksh295.4 million, the facility has been a central venue for athletics, football, and national celebrations.
“There is no lawful cause, reasonable grounds, or justification for the planned demolition and relocation of Kipchoge Stadium to the showground land.
The planned demolition is actuated by ulterior motives, namely, the grabbing of prime land within Kapsabet town under the guise of constructing a modern market,” Mungai argued.
The petitioners include Chemabwai, former athlete William Koskei, Sammy Kiplagat, Fredrick Kiptanui, Fatwel Kimaiyo, Wilson Cheseret, Vivian Biwott, Paul Koriri, Catherine Kirui, John Yego, and others.
According to the Kapsabet Municipality Master Plan, the stadium land is earmarked for the expansion of the Central Business District, including the construction of a new market, a matatu and bus park, and affordable housing.
Sporting activities would be relocated to the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex and parts of the showground land.
However, for the athletes, the plan represents a misuse of public funds, pointing out that taxpayers’ money had already gone into upgrading the stadium.
They argue that athletics is a critical source of employment in the region, and dismantling the facility would deny youth opportunities.
“The impugned decisions and actions are discriminatory and deprive the athletic community, the Nandi people, and residents of the North Rift of their right to protection of law,” Mungai submitted.
The petitioners also warn that replacing the stadium with commercial infrastructure will damage the town’s environment and aesthetics.
“A stadium occupies green space in a natural form. Its change of use will endanger the environment while eroding a cultural symbol of sports and identity,” they contend.
They have applied for conservatory orders halting any further steps by the county government pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The Nandi County government has previously defended the redevelopment plan, saying it aims to boost urban growth, create jobs, and align with national housing and market development programs. However, its formal response to the lawsuit is still pending.
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