Dan Shikanda reveals AFC Leopards’ bold move for Kasarani stadium land

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has provided an update over the status of the 2.8 acre parcel of land in Kasarani allocated to them by former President Daniel Arap Moi in 1992.

Leopards have been under pressure to sort out the land hiatus especially after the Mashemeji Derby, pitting them against sworn rivals AFC Leopards, was postponed for a second time due to a lack of adequate facilities to host the match.

A few days back, Pulse Sports reported Shikanda had given an update over the status of the land, which has led to a delay in the club commencing their plans to construct their own stadium.

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Speaking during the handover of the club’s task force committee report - which was established back in September 2024 in order to initiate the club’s transition into a corporate entity- , Shikanda detailed the high-stakes nature of the situation.

, “I am the only chairman who has pushed for this land up to this point. The last meeting we had, the entire NEC was present, including my patron,” the former Harambee Stars forward said.

“We were at State House with the Head of State, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, and the Director General of Sports Kenya. The president gave directives, and today, we have presented all the necessary paperwork.”

Despite the visible strides, the journey has not been without challenges. The proposed lease, initially set for 66 years, was extended to 99 years under President William Ruto’s directive. 

Yet, political disruptions, including the removal of Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, Pius Metto leaving his role as Sports Kenya Secretary general and the height of the Gen Z protests, caused a stall in progress. 

“Unfortunately, the GEN Z thing happened, Ababu left the office. Metto has left. I pushed it with Metto and even with Ababu before he left.

“ Ababu assured me 10 days, we shall be land breaking. But before those 10 days elapsed, there was change of government and change of Cabinet Secretaries. So where that land is, it is on the table of, I can say, the Head of State, or it is in our hands.”

Shikanda’s determination to see the project through is unwavering, especially as his six-year tenure nears its conclusion.

The quest for a permanent home for Ingwe dates back to June 2020, when Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi donated Ksh600,000 to help the club process the title deed for a larger 20-acre plot in Kasarani.

The funds were intended to jumpstart the process of constructing a club stadium — a dream that has yet to materialise.