A decision to tear down Gusii Stadium despite years of public investment has stirred anger in Kisii, with residents questioning why a facility that had already received more than Sh500 million from taxpayers was demolished instead of being improved further.
The move, aimed at paving the way for a new Sh1 billion stadium, has reopened debate over the value of repeated spending on public projects.
The demolition comes months after President William Ruto announced that the national government would fund the construction of a modern sports complex in Kisii.
The 12,000-seat stadium, which was renovated and used to host last year's Mashujaa Day celebrations, has now been cleared to make room for a new 14,000-seat facility expected to meet international standards.
The project has attracted criticism from residents who believe the existing stadium was still functional and did not need to be pulled down. They argue that the hundreds of millions already spent on the facility over the years should have delivered a lasting sports venue instead of leading to another round of construction.
Many have also questioned why different administrations continued to channel funds to the stadium from 2014, only for it to be demolished after repeated upgrades and renovations.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati defended the redevelopment, saying the old stadium had serious structural weaknesses that could not be corrected through renovation. He said poor drainage caused flooding whenever it rained, making a complete rebuild the best option.
“We were not with William Ruto in one political camp. He was in the United Democratic Alliance while we were in the Orange Democratic Movement. But before Raila’s death, I pleaded with President Ruto. I told him our stadium was in bad shape,” Arati said.
He added: “Raila said, ‘Add more money for that stadium to be refurbished.’ President Ruto put Sh1 billion. As we speak, all the structures are down and it is being done afresh.”
While touring Kisii County in April, President Ruto said the new stadium would give the region a modern sports facility capable of hosting both national and international competitions while creating better opportunities for young athletes.
“The refurbishment of the stadium will start tomorrow and is set to take nine months at a cost of Sh1 billion. I have allocated Sh20 million to Shabana FC to support their training during the construction period,” the President said.
The redevelopment will also affect the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) showground, forcing the postponement of this year's Southern Kenya ASK Show. The government has promised to provide the society with alternative land in Kitutu Central Sub-County.
The latest works come after years of investment in the facility. In 2024, about Sh34 million was spent on improvements, including a perimeter fence, a backup generator and upgrades to the playing surface.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier committed Sh150 million towards improving the stadium in 2021, while the Kisii County government also set aside additional funds for renovations. Even with those investments, the stadium has remained under construction or closed at different times since work first started in 2014.
The demolition has now left many residents questioning whether the public received value for the money spent over the years, even as the government maintains that a completely new stadium was necessary.