The Cradle of Stars: Austin Odhiambo, Alphonce Omija and McDonald Mariga Explain Why Baba Dogo Grounds Matter

At the heart of Nairobi’s Baba Dogo stands more than just an open field, it is a cradle of dreams, a ground where raw talent meets resilience.

For years, this ground has been the silent witness to the rise of footballers whose passion and persistence carried them from the dust to the continental stage.

However, the Baba Dogo grounds has long been under threat from private developers keen to seize it. In July, during the launch of Climate Worx: Rehabilitating the Nairobi River Programme, President William Ruto directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers guarding the site, affirming that the land belonged to the community.

That directive secured the grounds and marked a turning point in protecting Nairobi’s shrinking public playfields. Even before the President’s directive, a number of Kenyan football stars, led by Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo had been on the forefront of fighting against attempts to grab the land.

A month later, the matter resurfaced in an emotional moment. Following Harambee Stars’ 1-0 win over Zambia in their final CHAN 2024 final group stage match at Kasarani, Stadium on Sunday, President Ruto visited the team’s changing room and Odhiambo, one of Baba Dogo’s most famous sons, brought out the issue again, pleading with the Head of State to help secure the grounds for the community.

His request echoed the dreams of thousands of youths who had found their footing on that dusty pitch and President Ruto did not just promise that the grounds will not be grabbed but pledged to personally finance its construction and renovation to turn it into a modern football facility.

“That is your pitch, and I will make sure it is done,” the President said, drawing loud cheers not just from Odhiambo but his team-mates and obviously those who have and are still honing their talents at the grounds.

But why does Baba Dogo grounds matter? Reminiscing how Baba Dogo has been crucial to his career, Odhiambo gets emotional when he talks about the potential takeover of the facility by private developers.

“The importance of that ground is huge for the community because it is the only ground within Ruaraka constituency and people from Kariobangi and Lucky Summer also use it and it holds huge hopes and reduces crime,” Odhiambo told Pulse Sports.

“It is painful that we have local leaders in the area and they have left us to fight alone yet we voted for them. We have reached out to the leaders but they are doing little about it so the only way we could handle it is going through the President and luckily, from that community, God gave me a chance to reach him through my talent.”

The Gor Mahia playmaker is thankful that the presidential intervention came just in time before the developer started turning the grounds into something different which would have wiped off the hopes of thousands of talented youths in the area.

“If I had not gone to the President, the developer had already started work at the ground and the President came to the area and gave the order and thank God through him, the ground is now back to the community,” he added.

“It makes me very emotional because I have grown there and I know the pain and struggle. The hope for many children in the area is that ground and when I see it taken away, I feel they have lost big time. Those youngsters motivate me daily and gave me the courage to face the President.”

Baba Dogo has shaped the journeys of many footballers with Odhiambo, his brother Tyson Otieno, the former Kariobangi Sharks and Kenya Police star, defender Alphonce Omija and Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani, among those who have nurtured their talents there.

“Most football lovers depend on that ground since most big names have come from there so we must fight to give those youngsters a future. If you look at the numbers of children there, more so now that schools are closed, it is huge, they are there from morning to evening,” said Omija.

“We also train there sometimes so we have to fight for these talents because we now have the platform. It is huge, not just to Baba Dogo but areas that surround it. Like I grew up in Korogocho but Baba Dogo has raised me football wise as I played there as a kid at U10 and U12 levels.”

Harambee Stars legend and current Football Kenya Federation vice president McDonald Mariga also embodies the story of such neighbourhood pitches, places that teach grit, hunger and discipline.

“I have played at such grounds and I have friends who played at Baba Dogo like [Geoffrey] Kokoyo, coach Modo also has played there so if we take these grounds, we deny these youngsters a chance to nurture their talents,” Mariga weighed in.

“The President is a sports lover and when he sends a message people will listen. We thank him for helping youth get the grounds back to grow their talents. Without such grounds, we will go nowhere in football and as footballers and ex-pros, we must talk.”

Though often overlooked for its dusty appearance, Baba Dogo has proven to be a birthplace of legacy. It is the spirit of Kenyan football – grassroots that grow into glory. By protecting and upgrading it, Kenya is not only honouring those who came before but also securing the future of those yet to come.