The national government has committed to constructing a major new stadium in Mombasa following the completion of the Talanta Stadium, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Omar Hassan Sarai has announced.
Speaking during the finals of the Kitaka Holiday Peace Cup held at Mwahima Stadium in Likoni Sub-County, Sarai said the government is working to expand football infrastructure and strengthen talent-nurturing programmes across the coastal region.
“After completing the Talanta Stadium, the next big stadium will be built here in Mombasa. We will also ensure that supporting sports facilities are upgraded and stadiums such as Mwahima and other local grounds are renovated to FIFA standards,” Sarai stated.
He revealed that he has been engaging Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Hussein Mohammed and FIFA President Gianni Infantino through President William Ruto to prioritise stadium development in Mombasa.
According to him, enhanced sports infrastructure will open more opportunities for coastal youth to feature in the national team and eventually secure places in major international leagues.
“During the CHAN tournament, many of our youth played in the Harambee Stars team under coach Benni McCarthy. We hope that during the 2027 AFCON tournament, more boys from Likoni and Mombasa will showcase their potential and progress to leagues such as the English Premier League and La Liga,” he said.
Sarai also commended the recent by-election outcomes, saying the results have strengthened the party’s popularity nationally.
UDA Mombasa Chairperson Ali Khamisi Kitaka urged residents to judge leaders based on performance rather than political promises as the 2027 general elections approach.
“We have been given many posts as people of Mombasa, but the problem is that those who have been given these positions have not used them effectively to benefit our people. We have chairpersons and directors, but how have we benefited from these posts? ” Kitaka asked.
He challenged leaders holding government appointments to demonstrate tangible service to the public before seeking elective positions.
Kitaka further appealed to the UDA Secretary General to establish a six-million-shilling football tournament in Mombasa similar to the one currently running in Kwale County, where the winner receives three million shillings, the runner-up two million, and the third-placed team one million.
The tournament concluded with Napoli FC defeating AC Scud in the men’s category following a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. In the women’s category, Shika Adabu Queens beat Shika Adabu JSS 3-1 to lift the trophy.
By Sitati Reagan
