FKF Pledges Upgrade of Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex

The pledge was made at Baba Dogo Sports Extravaganza that was held on Sunday August 23 at the former Baba Dogo Grounds in Nairobi.

The club has since been renamed the Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex, after Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo.

The uncertainty over the land shouldn't deprive the community of access to the playing field, Mohammed told residents.

This field is not moving forward! Mohammed said that the pitch would continue to be available for the Baba Dogo community.

His involvement with football development in Baba Dogo goes back to around 20 years ago, when he was also involved in the early days of the Super 8, the FKF president said.

He advised people to stay united in safeguarding the site and to ensure it provides support to young footballers and the wider community.

Now focus will shift to the proposed work on the ground, with Mohammed saying practical plans should be in place to start work as soon as possible.

They are now putting in place measures to get construction underway as early as possible, he said.

In response to a property dispute the future of the ground has been a topic of much publicity.

In 2025, President William Ruto stepped in on the appeal by Austin Odhiambo to safeguard the facility for local residents.

Ruto then promised to improve the pitch and rename it after the Harambee midfielder.

The use of the Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex name by Mohammed in Sunday's event further reinforced the trend of the facility being recognised by its new name.

The ground needs to be developed not only to address the immediate land issues but to create opportunities for the young people of Baba Dogo in the long-term," the FKF president said.

He connected the planned development with the need for communities to invest in sporting infrastructure that can benefit the future generations.

Mohammed said the children in the Baba Dogo area should experience safe sporting facilities where they can develop their talent and engage in football activities organised by the Clubs.

He also urged the community to continue to work for the benefit of the area, as he himself had been doing so for many years.

Don't get tired fighting for our community, I am your own son right here in Baba Dogo, I have journeyed this way with you.”

For years the Baba Dogo ground has been an important space for clubs, youth teams and residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods to play.

Its future has thus been a major concern for the local football fraternity especially in light of the fear of losing public sporting grounds in Nairobi and the question of ownership.

Mohammed's latest pledge now puts a spotlight on implementation, and residents are hoping for more progress in the construction and upgrade of the promised Austin Odhiambo Sports Complex.