Gor Mahia has chosen Machakos County as the location for their proposed stadium, and here’s an insight into why this venue was selected.
The club’s National Executive Council, along with deputy patron and Kenya’s Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo, conducted a site visit to a proposed 48-acre piece of land in Lukenya, Machakos County.
Owalo later announced plans for Gor Mahia to acquire the land and build a 60,000-seat stadium, three training grounds, a four-star hotel, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and club offices.
The announcement generated mixed reactions from fans, with many expressing concerns about the location while welcoming the proposed plans.
Through their vice chairperson, Sally Bolo, Gor Mahia outlined three reasons why the venue is suitable. The first reason is the club’s historical ties to Nairobi.
“Gor Mahia Football Club was founded in Nairobi and has been based there since 1968. Its registered home grounds are located in Nairobi. Although the club occasionally plays home games in Kisumu or, more recently, Homa Bay (subject to federation approval), Nairobi remains the heart of the club.”
With several stadiums already in the western region, including two in Kisumu, one in Siaya, and another in Homa Bay, along with plans for a new stadium in Migori County, an important question arises: How often are these facilities used for high-profile international events? What has been the return on investment (ROI) from these stadiums so far?”
Bolo, who previously served as the club’s treasurer, pointed to the financial difficulties local clubs may face in maintaining complex facilities once complete.
“Furthermore, the state of local football clubs, especially those in the top-flight leagues, is another crucial factor. Are these clubs drawing sufficient crowds to fill these stadiums and generate enough revenue to contribute to their upkeep and improvement to international standards?”
Bolo also highlighted the commercial viability of the proposed site in Lukenya, located next to Daystar University, as a factor that makes it suitable.
“The new stadium should primarily be viewed as a commercial venture. It will allow the club to save substantial amounts currently spent on renting training grounds for our senior, youth, and women’s teams. Additionally, the club will no longer need to rent stadiums for home matches, both local and international. Instead, the facility can generate revenue by allowing other Kenyan Premier League (KPL) or national teams to rent the grounds, and the amenities surrounding the facility will further enhance its profitability.”
Under commercial viability, the club also noted that the cost of hosting international matches outside of Nairobi, as required by FIFA and CAF regulations, makes Nyanza less suitable.
“The FIFA and CAF regulations state that matches played at venues more than 200 km outside the capital require the home team to cover the costs of chartering flights for the away team and match officials, in addition to the logistics needed for the home team. Gor Mahia will avoid these additional expenses, making international matches more feasible and financially sustainable,” she added.
Lastly, proximity to key infrastructure was another reason the club considered Machakos as the preferred venue, according to Bolo.
“Its proximity to the airport and Mombasa Road makes it highly accessible, further enhancing its potential as a hub for international sports and entertainment events. The distance from Nairobi CBD to Kasarani Stadium is similar to the distance to the proposed Gor Mahia stadium site along Mombasa Road. However, the new location’s closeness to the expressway will reduce travel time, making it more convenient for fans,” she said.
Despite this, Bolo acknowledged the concerns raised by fans who do not support the location and urged them to consider the broader perspective and significance of the project.
