THE JEWEL OF KIBERA

To many Kenyans, it is the famous Woodley Grounds, but to the residents of Kibra Constituency, it is fondly referred to Kalwa Grounds. It is the home of football in Nairobi; the ground that has given birth to current footballers. Current Tusker Fc skipper and Kenya Premier League top-scorer, Jesse Were, Mathare United coveted midfielder Edwin Lavatsa and others are its proud products!

However, despite the priceless contribution to Kenyan football, Woodley Grounds is shamefully dilapidated. From un-even playing surface, lack of grass to flooding whenever rains hit Nairobi, it is a sorry state, bare and dusty in the dry season to bare and muddy in the rains. Lack of a perimeter wall compounds an already dire situation.

As its dilapidation continues, the youths in Kibera are sharpening their skills from Monday to Friday. Over the weekends, it is soccer bonanza to the Kibera residents as clubs battle it out on the dusty pitch. The next crop of soccer stars from the likes of Black Stars, Uweza Academy, Kibera Talent and other clubs who call Woodley Grounds their home, horn their skills at this dilapidated field.

It is the sporting jewel of Kibera! The youths escape drugs abuse and crime by horning their soccer skills here. To the Kibera community, it is a priceless sporting gift. The onus is on the Nairobi County government and the central government to rehabilitate it to modern standards and make it even better for the many boys and girls who call it their sporting home!