Fury over county's Facebook post on Afraha Annex housing project

Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has faced public backlash following a social media post that earmarked the historic Afraha Annex field for an affordable housing project.

The now-deleted post stated that the site had been designated for the national social housing programme, part of the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), which aims to provide low-cost homes to Nakuru’s growing population.

The post also detailed an inspection of the Afraha’s Annex site by senior county government officials.

The backlash from Nakuru’s sports community was swift and fierce.

Coach Hassan Hussein stood pensively at the edge of the overgrown grass at Afraha Annex field, his gaze lost in the bushy expanse that now carpets the once vibrant training ground. This patch of land, adjacent to the historic Afraha Stadium, holds a special place in his heart.

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He grew up here, first as a player, now as a coach. To him and many within Nakuru’s sporting circles, this is more than just a piece of land; it is a cradle of dreams, a lifeline for young players.

The response from the sporting community was immediate and passionate. “I was shocked when I saw the post on the county’s social media page,” Hussein stated, his voice laced with disbelief. “They announced plans to convert this ground into an affordable housing project. This field has always been a social amenity reserved for sports, a warm-up and training ground that complements the Afraha Stadium. It was clearly part of the original upgrade plan.”

He continued, “There are so many idle parcels of land in Nakuru, some even grabbed. Why target this ground that has nurtured generations of sportsmen and women?”

Robert Maheri, a prominent football administrator, echoed Hussein’s sentiments, describing the announcement as a “total betrayal of the Nakuru sports fraternity.”

Victor Ngatia, a politician and sports advocate, did not mince his words. “Afraha is not just Nakuru stadium, it is a national treasure. Attempting to grab this space for housing is shameful. I call on the county government to stop disrespecting the youth. Gen Z has proven they have a voice and they will not hesitate to use it,” said Ngatia.

Nakuru County’s Director of Communications, Bernard Namunane, however, clarified that the post was a mistake. “There is no plan to build affordable housing on Afraha grounds. The person who posted the information did not consult,” he said.