Sports Kenya has defended a fee of Sh3.6 million charged for Kinoru Stadium by Kilifi based Evangelist Ezekiel Odero.
Evangelist Odero had protested what he termed as exorbitant charges for a two-day religious meeting at Kinoru Stadium.
The New Life Prayer Centre and Church complex founder said he was shocked to receive an invoice of Sh3.6 million for a two-day prayer meeting in the stadium later in the month.
Pastor Odero applied to Sports Kenya’s and the county government of Meru seeking approvals and licenses for a meeting slated for April 18 and 19.
“I have been planning a Crusade in Meru, but I have been charged Sh3.6 million to use the stadium. I am aware that another pastor was charged Sh280,000 for the same stadium. But when they saw the name New Life Church, they decided to overcharge me,” Pastor Odero told his congregation on Tuesday.
He said that as an international evangelist, he has held meetings in several countries without being overcharged for the venue.
He added, “What business is the church doing to afford such exorbitant charges? I would better preach in another country than go to Meru.”
But according to Matthew Kirimi, a Sports Kenya officer in Meru , Pastor Odero was rightfully charged for Crusades of his magnitude.
He said the sporting agency charges a rate of Sh1.3 million per day for non-sporting events at Kinoru Stadium.
“It is true that New Life Church was asked to pay Sh3.6 million for two and half days. This includes the preparation day. It is a big meeting because they are expecting up to 35,000 people. With such a number of people, the damage on the turf and cost of utilities must be catered for,” the official said.
Sports Kenya Public Relations Manager Rakki Asman told the Voice Daily that they charge a premium for non-sporting activities to raise funds for maintaining the facilities.
“While I am not privy to how much the New Life Church was asked to pay, users are charged based on the facilities they intend to use within the stadium. Big meetings require the field and may result in damage on the turf. Sporting activities are charged at subsidized rates and can not raise sufficient income for maintaining the stadium,” Mr Asman said.
Meru Pastors Forum Secretary Jack Kithinji discounted the claim that some meetings were charged Sh280,000.
“Sports Kenya demands a lot of money for church meetings at Kinoru Stadium. When we hosted Apostle Peter Youngren in 2022, we were invoiced Sh2.8 million. After negotiating the amount, we paid Sh2.1 million,” Pastor Kithinji said.
He said in 2024, they had to do a last-minute venue change for a prayer meeting graced by Nigerian Pastor Anselm Madumbuko after Sports Kenya demanded Sh2.7 million.
Pastor Kithinji said the Meru Pastors Forum has been pushing for the stadium to be handed over to the Meru County government to make it affordable to residents.
The protest by Pastor Odero drew the attention of the Meru County government with officials distancing themselves from the charges.
Meru County Sports executive Elias Murega said the Meru Revenue Board had only charged Sh18,200 for advertising and noise control, adding that the devolved unit does not manage the stadium.
Kinoru Stadium was handed over to Sports Kenya in 2017 after the national government allocated Sh908 million for its upgrade to a modern 20,000-seater sporting facility.
However, 10 years later, several works, including installation of security systems, floodlights, and a standard pitch, are yet to be done.
The County government has been pushing to regain control of the stadium so as to benefit from its revenues.
Edited by John Majau
