Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has officially opened a state-of-the-art football stadium that was commissioned during the regime of Mike Sonko.
The stadium located in the sprawling estate has been under construction since 2019 at a cost of about Sh300 million.
The construction of the stadium was supposed to be completed in less than one year but along the way, its progress has been facing some hurdles.
Six years on, the stadium is now ready for use; unfortunately, Sonko who oversaw its conception has left the office long before witnessing the magnificent finishing of his key projects.
Years on the completion of the playground has given the current regime a chance to make an effortless score like a penalty given during a football match.
Even So, Governor Sakaja thanked his predecessor for making a bold step to set up a swanky playing ground in the informal settlement in Nairobi’s Eastlands.
“Dandora Stadium. Dedicated to the late Hon. Mugabe Were whose dedication and support secured these grounds,” Sakaja posted during the launch of the stadium on March 8, 2024.
He added that, “appreciating former Governor Sonko for starting it. Despite being stalled for 6 years, we picked it up, put in resources and completed it. The people of Dandora and Nairobi are celebrating,”
Construction of the new Dandora stadium stalled in 2019 when the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission moved to probe the alleged procurement irregularities believed to have cost the taxpayers millions of shillings.
Former Governor Mike Sonko’s administration was accused of making Sh196.9 million irregular payments to the contractor and irregular change of the contract name.
But in 2021, the Senate Labour and Social Welfare committee which was then chaired by Sakaja (then Nairobi Senator) ordered the resumption of work at the stadium.
The Senate resolved to give the county government a go-ahead to complete this stadium.
The new Dandora Stadium will have notable features like; artificial turf, seats, a gym centre, modern stalls and floodlights.
