Sakaja announces plan to build statue for legendary footballer Joe Kadenge

By Luttah Njomo

Nairobi Governor Johnson has announced plans to build a statue for the legendary footballer Joe Kadenge.

Speaking during the launch of the Talanta Hela City Stadium in Jamhuri, Nairobi, Governor Sakaja indicated that the statue will be erected to honour his contribution to the Kenyan football fraternity.

The first-time governor pointed out the statue will be erected outside City Stadium which will then be named Joe Kadenge Stadium.

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According to the city boss, the statue will be unveiled once the rehabilitation works are done both inside and outside the facility.

"We are doing the Joe Kadenge Stadium which was known as City Stadium. We hope we can count on your support in those endeavours," he stated.

"We are going to have the statue of Joe Kadenge, one of the greatest football heroes. Just like Thierry Henry's outside Emirates Stadium, we have Joe Kadenge Statue outside City Stadium," Sakaja announced.

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Who is Joe Kadenge

Joe Kadenge was born on March 16, 1935, in Soliani village, Hamisi Sub-County in Vihiga County.  He started showing his passion for football at an early age by participating in local matches.

Kadenge became popular during the Gossage Cup beginning with his debut in Zanzibar, Tanzania in 1957.

The following year, Kadenge inspired Kenya’s 2-0 Gossage Cup victory over Uganda, scoring one goal and assisting the other. Gossage Cup - a tourney between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar - began here in 1926.

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Kadenge, who attended Musingu Intermediate School in ‘Kachmega’ went on to display his magic with Nakuru All-Stars, Maragoli FC and Abaluhyia FC now AFC Leopards - a club he helped win the 1966 Premier League.

‘Kadenge na mpira’, the famous sports commentary, made by legendary broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela further popularised Kadenge making him a household name in Kenyan football.

In 1970, Kadenge retired from football and in 2002 he was named the Kenya national team manager. When he suffered a stroke in 2006, there was an outpouring of emotion and his hospital bed was flooded with sympathisers and it was hard for the medical personnel attending to him. The public cleared his bills. Grateful Kenyans have also sought to honour him in their own way.

However, Kadenge who was described as the finest footballer ever produced in Kenya died in 2019.

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