MPs yesterday opposed the move by the government to award telecommunications service provider, Safaricom Limited the naming and branding rights for the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
The legislators said the move is unacceptable as Kasarani is a historical monument. They condemned the development saying President Moi, after whom the stadium is named, deserves to be honoured.
The MPs said renaming the facility is a sign of disrespect to the former head of state. Last week, the Sports Stadia Management Board revealed the award of the Naming and Branding Rights for the iconic stadium after sealing a Sh210 million shillings deal with Safaricom for two years.
Following the signing of the deal, the stadium will adopt the name Safaricom Stadium Kasarani-Home of Heroes while the adjacent Indoor Arena will be branded the Safaricom Indoor Arena
The MPs, led by majority leader Aden Duale and minority leader Francis Nyenze, said investigations should be launched to find out renaming rights were given.
“The former President has been in the forefront in ensuring that Kenya is one. We cannot go ahead and take this away. We have to protect our former Presidents,” Dualle said.
Under the deal, Safaricom is expected to refurbish some areas of the facility while maintenance and management will be undertaken by the Sports Stadia Management Board.
The new look stadium was expected to be unveiled yesterday evening at a ceremony to be graced by Sports Secretary Hassan Wario and other stakeholders in the sector.
The matter was referred to the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare chaired by Matungu MP David Were. His deputy Tiya Galgalo (Isiolo women’s representative) said the committee will make a statement in the House today.
MPs Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central), Adan Keynan (Eldas) and Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East) said Moi needs to be protected, especially because he handed over power peacefully in 2002.
Limo, who triggered the debate, said Sports Secretary Hassan Wario should follow the footsteps of former minister Hellen Sambili, who declined to sign a similar deal involving Nyayo Stadium. “We need to find out whether it can be reversed,” he said.
Safaricom yesterday said that in July, the SSMB put out an advertisement inviting organisations to tender for the naming and branding rights of some of the facilities located within the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. These are the main stadium and the indoor gymnasium.
“The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani is a complex which includes the aquatic stadium, the hotel, the wedding garden, the amusement park, the residential estates and the two aforementioned facilities. It is important to note that the complex known as the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani will retain its name,” it said in a statement.
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said, “This historic partnership will change the way the management of sports facilities is managed in Kenya for good and in the end, I believe that our sports men and women will be the biggest beneficiaries of this partnership”.
By DAVID MWERE, The Star
