PHOTOS: The new look Nyayo Stadium takes shape

The Nyayo National Stadium is nearing completion after more than three years of renovation.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed says the yet to be completed work amount to a paltry 5 percent and hopes that the facility will be open to the public by end of June.

Amina was speaking at the facility on Tuesday when she led officials from the Sports ministry in touring the facility.

And, as opposed to the dilapidated structure of the past, the stadium dons a new look, with seats fitted on the terraces, an improvement from the old-look when spectators would sit on slab.

According to Amina, the facility, Kenya’s second largest stadium, will be handed over to Sports Kenya by the end of June with only small fractions of the work pending.

“We are expecting by the end of this month we will be handing over the stadium to Sports Kenya. As you can see only some final touches remain,” said Amina.

At the same time, if completed on time,  Nyayo may host the World Athletics Continental Tour whose Nairobi leg is primed for September 26.

“Although we expected to host the event in Kasarani, we are still open to moving it here since we are very happy with the progress so far,” said Race Director, Barnaba Korir, who doubles up as Athletics Kenya Nairobi branch chairman.

Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto said if the event will be held at Nyayo then a few aspects are still pending including the lighting and tartan track.

“We are weighing every option, we are in communication with the office of the public works concerning the floodlights and at the same time we are seeking to lay a new tartan track,” said Metto.