Football fans fume over Nyayo Stadium crusade plans despite Sh1.2 billion renovations

A storm is brewing among Kenyan football fans after it emerged that Nyayo National Stadium will host a major gospel crusade next month, barely months after billions were pumped into upgrading the stadium's playing surface to meet international standards.

The event in question, dubbed Grace Encounter Nairobi and organised by Grace Arena Ministries, is slated for Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The poster features an impressive lineup of international and local gospel heavyweights, including Moses Bliss, Joe Mettle, Rose Muhando, Pastor Lawrence Oyor, Carol Ouma, and host Apostle David Owusu. Entry will be free, a factor likely to attract tens of thousands of worshippers.

But while the faithful are celebrating the chance to worship at such a grand scale, football fans and stakeholders are not amused.

Their biggest concern? The very pitch that the government and taxpayers invested heavily in to restore to CAF and FIFA-approved standards now risks damage from an event that was never intended for sporting use.

"We spent millions on this pitch so that Kenya can finally host international matches without embarrassment. Now they want to turn it into a crusade ground? This is why we can't progress in football," fumed one fan on social media.

Another supporter warned that such decisions only set back Kenyan football: "We have seen this story before where crusade rallies, political rallies and concerts leaving pitches in ruins. Who will repair the pitch after thousands trample on it?"

A while back, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya stated that after hosting CHAN, the government intends to do further upgrades on the stadium in anticipation of AFCON 2027.

"Immediately after CHAN, we will do a canopy on the Nyayo National Stadium so that we can now bring it to an international facility," said the CS.

"The journey to upgrade the infrastructure is not ending with CHAN, we will continue."

Nyayo Stadium has been central to Kenya's push to reclaim its place in international football. Alongside Kasarani, it was earmarked for regional competitions and as a potential host for continental qualifiers.

Football stakeholders now fear that the hosting of non-sporting events could once again see Kenya fall foul of international standards.

The Ministry of Sports has been criticized in the past for leasing out refurbished stadiums for political rallies, concerts, and crusades, often leading to damaged turf and expensive repairs.

Fans are now calling on CS Salim Mvurya to intervene and ensure stadiums serve their primary purpose, sports.