Calm usually settles over Kisumu’s sports precinct late in the evening, broken only by the distant hum of traffic and the occasional jogger cutting across the grounds.
Officials conducting a routine inspection noticed signs of forced entry and visible damage at Moi Stadium, a key sporting venue that has hosted local and national events for decades.
The incident came just a day before the planned commencement of a major government backed renovation project valued at Sh800 million.
The upgrade is expected to transform the aging stadium into a modern sporting facility, with improved seating, lighting, drainage systems and athlete amenities, positioning Kisumu as a stronger contender for hosting regional competitions.
According to preliminary assessments, vandals targeted sections earmarked for early works, including perimeter areas and internal installations.
While the full extent of the damage was still being evaluated by engineers, officials confirmed that several components would require repair or replacement before renovation could proceed smoothly.
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County security teams were dispatched to the site, and investigations were launched to establish how the perpetrators accessed the stadium despite existing safeguards.
Kisumu County leaders condemned the vandalism, describing it as a setback not just to the renovation timeline but to the wider community that stands to benefit from improved sports infrastructure.
They emphasized that public facilities belong to residents and that acts of destruction ultimately burden taxpayers through additional repair costs.
Many had welcomed the renovation as a long overdue investment that would revive local sports and create economic opportunities around events and training camps.
Despite the incident, officials maintained that preparations for the renovation were still on course, though minor adjustments to schedules might be necessary.
Enhanced security measures are expected to be implemented immediately as contractors prepare to mobilize on site.
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