How ‘Cheap Politics’ Killed Bunyala’s KSh95 Million Real Madrid Sports Complex Dream

Speaking on behalf of the Abanyala community, the legends said that whatever happened many years ago and caused the sponsors to withdraw is now a thing of the past.

In an interview, the then chairman of the complex committee, Mr. Joseph Wandera, said that at the time, the Sigomere land belonged to the community, which was divided along political party lines and affiliations. However, the land has since reverted to the Busia County Government, which is inviting investors, sponsors, and well-wishers to support the area’s development.

At the time, the rivalry between Budalang’i Member of Parliament (MP) Raphael Wanjala and former area MP Ababu Namwamba led to the withdrawal of the KShs. 95 million sports complex that was to be built by the Real Madrid and Sananda Foundations, who are the sponsors of Real Madrid Football Club.

The complex had five components: a stadium, hostels, a health center, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) school, and a hotel. The sponsors, in partnership with Namwamba’s Chambers of Justice firm, identified Sigomere grounds as an appropriate location for the complex. The Sigomere community agreed to donate the land for the project.

At the time, in 2006, Wanjala was the Budalang’i MP, while Namwamba was an aspirant. Namwamba invited his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, to the groundbreaking ceremony and the laying of the foundation stone, during which Bunyala football legends played against Raila’s team.

Wanjala had already built a dispensary at the site where Namwamba’s group planned to establish the ECD school. Fearing that Namwamba’s group was going to take over the land for the complex, Wanjala allegedly instructed his supporters to fence off the dispensary land. Namwamba’s supporters attempted to stop them, resulting in a fight.

Police arrested Namwamba’s supporters, including the chairman of the complex committee, Joseph Wandera. They were charged in court with assault and later released on bond.

Sensing danger, Namwamba abandoned the Sigomere idea and approached Abayanga community elders to sell them the Siagonjo piece of land, which was next to Rugunga Catholic Church. The church was also interested in acquiring the land for expansion, but the community preferred to sell it to Namwamba and his associates.

A meeting called between the sponsors and the Abayanga community at Siagonjo ended prematurely. According to the Sigomere committee chairman, Mr. Wandera, “The mistake Namwamba made was forming a new committee to manage Siagonjo affairs instead of using the Sigomere committee. The President of the Sananda Foundation refused to hold discussions with a committee he was not familiar with.”

Furthermore, the sponsors did not want to become involved in a land dispute with the Catholic Church, as it could have damaged their relationship and image with the Church in Rome, especially because they were Catholics. That marked the end of the project.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Namwamba defeated Wanjala in the subsequent 2007 General Elections. He later spent more than KSh. 35 million from the National Constituency Development Fund (NCDF) to construct a questionable stadium that is not fenced and becomes flooded during periods of flooding.