Hope has been rekindled among Mombasa residents and football stakeholders after construction works resumed on the long-delayed Sh1.7 billion Mombasa Municipal Stadium project, bringing renewed optimism that the coastal city could finally regain a major sporting facility more than a decade after the demolition of the original structure.
The ambitious redevelopment, which has remained incomplete for over 13 years, began after the old stadium was pulled down to make way for a modern arena.
However, the project stalled for years, turning what was once a key sporting ground into a symbol of broken promises and delayed infrastructure.
A fresh push to revive the works came earlier this year after President William Ruto announced in February that the national government had assumed control of the project. He further indicated that the Ministry of Defence would oversee its completion as part of efforts to fast-track delivery of stalled public facilities.
Construction activity reportedly resumed earlier this week.
Despite this, football officials in Mombasa have welcomed the restart of the project. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Mombasa Branch Chairman Alamin Ahmed Abdalla said the resumption was a positive step and urged authorities to move faster to meet the December completion timeline previously mentioned by the Head of State.
He noted that if completed on schedule, “The stadium could play a strategic role as Kenya prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.”
According to him, the facility could serve both as a match or training venue for visiting teams during the continental tournament.
Alamin further argued that the completion of the stadium would have wider economic benefits for the coastal city, especially its hospitality sector.
He said Mombasa’s hotel industry is well-positioned to host international teams and visitors, which would boost tourism and local earnings.
He also stressed the long-term importance of the facility for grassroots football development, saying access to a proper stadium would boost player morale and help nurture emerging talent in the region.
Former referee Evans Mwachia also expressed support for the resumption of work, describing it as a welcome development for the sporting community.
He, however, called on the contractor to increase manpower on site, saying a larger workforce would not only speed up completion but also create job opportunities for local youth.
Mwachia added that once completed, the stadium would benefit not only players and referees but also the wider community by reviving sporting activity and related economic opportunities in the region.
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid noted, “Indeed, we have seen work begin. This stadium has now taken decades, and we are still pushing and insisting that it be completed. Talanta Stadium in Nairobi, within just two years, has seen more than ten times the progress compared to Mombasa, and it is almost complete. When will our leaders from the Coast also push for us to be treated the same as others? We are not second-class citizens; we too deserve development just like other Kenyans.”
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