Gor Mahia Breaks Ground on New Stadium Project

Gor Mahia FC plans to construct a modern stadium and sports complex in Machakos County, with Sally Bolo defending the decision despite debates over location.

FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia have confirmed plans to build a modern stadium to host their matches. The club's leadership, including Deputy Patron Eliud Owalo and chairman Ambrose Rachier, conducted a site visit to assess land suitability for the project.

Sally Bolo, part of the club's newly elected officials, has come out in defense of the decision to construct the stadium in Machakos County. The site visit took place on April 24th, marking a step forward in the project.

Gor Mahia is eyeing a 48-acre piece of land in Lukenya, Machakos County, adjacent to Daystar University, to build a state-of-the-art stadium and sports complex. The proposed facility will feature a 60,000-seat main stadium, three training pitches for senior, youth, and queens teams, player accommodations, and a four-star hotel.

The ambitious project aims to anchor the club's growth and elevate its brand on the continental stage, according to Eliud Owalo.

The sports complex will feature additional amenities, including an indoor gym, convertible gymnasium, club offices, media center, swimming pool, recovery facilities with a sauna, administration block, merchandise store, retail outlets, washrooms, and ample parking.

“We made a promise, to find a suitable location for the construction of a Gor Mahia stadium, and we're here turning that promise into action," said Eliud Owalo after the site visit. “This site's proximity to Nairobi makes it ideal. It's accessible no matter how fans travel - by car, bus, or even by foot if they're as passionate as we know they are.”

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier expressed hope for the project, saying, “We just pray that God gives us the wisdom and ability to do the construction that we intend to do.”

Despite being Kenya's most successful club with 21 Premier League titles, Gor Mahia has long lacked infrastructure to match its stature. The club has relied on various venues for matches, including Nairobi City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, Kasarani Stadium, Machakos Stadium, and Moi Stadium in Kisumu. Plans for a stadium have stalled multiple times due to funding issues, land disputes, and leadership changes.

Approaching a Noble Venture with Open Mindset

Gor Mahia Vice-Chairman Sally Bolo believes the club's plans to build a stadium are commendable and long overdue. Despite debates surrounding the location, Bolo emphasizes the importance of approaching the project with an open and objective mindset.

“The steps being taken to ensure Gor Mahia builds and/or owns its own stadium are not only commendable but, to say the least, long overdue,” Bolo said. “In my honest opinion, the Gor Mahia stadium is a step in the right direction.”

“This move has sparked debates from all quarters, with no one out rightly opposing the project, but there are concerns regarding the location of the proposed facility. It is important to approach this noble venture with an open and objective mindset.”

Sally Bolo highlighted the significance of constructing the stadium in Nairobi, citing Gor Mahia's historical ties to the city.

“Gor Mahia was founded in Nairobi and has been based there since 1968,” Bolo said. “Its registered home grounds are in Nairobi, and although the club occasionally takes home games to Kisumu or, more recently, to Homa-Bay (subject to federation approval), Nairobi remains the heart of the club.”

“Moreover, the club’s origins as a community-based institution, registered under the Societies Act, should not be overlooked although we are now under the Sports Act.

“The founder members, highly intellectual men (the late Tom Mboya, Samuel Ayany, Prof Bethwell Allan Ogot, Zack Ramogo etc), could have chosen to base the club exclusively within the confines of the Luo community, but their decision to set it in Nairobi was deliberate and inclusive. This historical connection with Nairobi should be considered in the planning of the new stadium.”

Sally Bolo questioned the utilization and return on investment of stadiums in Western Kenya. He noted that despite their existence, these facilities rarely host high-profile international events, raising concerns about their financial viability and overall return on investment.

“It is important to recognize that there are already several stadiums in the western region, including two in Kisumu, one in Siaya and another in Homa-Bay, with plans for a new one in Migori County. The critical question here is: How often are these facilities used for high-profile international events? What has been the return on investment (ROI) from these stadia so far?” offered Bolo.

“Furthermore, the state of the local football clubs in these areas, especially those in the top-flight leagues, is another important factor. Are these clubs drawing crowds large enough to fill these stadia and generate substantial revenue that could contribute to their upkeep and improvement to international standards?”

Sally Bolo supports the stadium's proposed location, believing it will give Gor Mahia commercial viability and boost financial sustainability.

“I fully support the choice of the proposed stadium's location for the following reasons,” Bolo said.

“The new stadium should be viewed primarily as a commercial venture. It will allow the club to save enormous amounts currently spent on hiring training grounds for the senior, youth, and women’s teams. Additionally, the club will no longer need to rent stadiums for home matches for both local and international. Instead, the facility will generate revenue by allowing other KPL or national teams to rent the grounds, while the amenities around the facility will further increase its profitability.”

Sally Bolo further noted that the stadium project will enable Gor Mahia to comply with regulations set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The FIFA and CAF regulations require that matches played at venues more than 200km outside the capital city must have the home team cover the cost of chartering a flight for the away team and match officials, in addition to the logistics for the home team,” explained Bolo.

A Dream Taking Shape.

Today, I joined our Deputy Patron Hon. @EliudOwalo and the Gor Mahia leadership in a landmark site visit to Lukenya, the future home of a world-class Gor Mahia Stadium and Sports Complex.

A modern stadium which will meet the CAF/FIFA standards, elite… pic.twitter.com/v1bjxEivH9

— Sally Bolo (@SallyBolo) April 24, 2025

“This regulation significantly raises the costs for any club that is not based in Nairobi. By having a stadium within the Nairobi environment, Gor Mahia will avoid these additional expenses, making international matches more feasible and financially sustainable.”

She continued: “Once completed, the stadium will not only serve Gor Mahia but will also accommodate other sports disciplines, making it ideal for hosting top-tier events. Its proximity to the airport and Mombasa Road makes it highly accessible, further boosting its potential as a hub for international sports and entertainment events.

“The distance from Nairobi CBD to Kasarani Stadium is similar to the proposed Gor Mahia stadium site along Mombasa Road. However, the new location’s proximity to the expressway will reduce travel time, making it more convenient for fans. Transport fares to the stadium will also be affordable, making it accessible for a larger fan base.”

Bolo concluded: “While concerns about the location of the new stadium are valid, it is crucial to view the project as a long-term investment that will benefit the club, the metropolitan city of Nairobi, and the broader Kenyan sports community. Gor Mahia, while rooted in the Luo community, has long transcended ethnic boundaries to become a national symbol.

“The club has attracted players from diverse Kenyan communities and across Africa. Notable examples include Innocent Mutiso, Francis Kahata, Nicholas Kipkirui, Haroun Shakava, Musa Mohammed, Charles Momonyi, Lukwam, Rama Salim, and many others. Today as we speak, the club continues to draw talent from various ethnicities and countries.

“The facility will not only improve the club’s operational efficiency but also create a sustainable revenue stream, ensuring that Gor Mahia remains competitive at both local and international levels.”

Gor Mahia, founded in 1968, holds multiple Kenyan football records, including 21 Kenyan Premier League titles and 11 FKF President's Cup wins. The club made history as the first Kenyan team to win an African continental title, claiming the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1987.

Gor Mahia has also achieved notable domestic success, including two unbeaten league seasons (1976 and 2015). Currently, the team is third in the 18-team league table with 50 points, chasing a third consecutive title behind leaders Kenya Police FC and second-placed Tusker.