The last few months have seen a flurry of sports related activities across the country; resumption of works or new construction of facilities running into billions of shillings.
It’s encouraging that work on sports projects that had stalled for many years despite millions going into them has resumed. If completed, these projects will completely transform the country’s sporting landscape at the grassroots level with the provision of modern infrastructure.
That is why both the national and county governments must exercise utmost prudence, ensuring resources set aside for the construction of these facilities are properly managed.
The Talanta Sports City Stadium that will be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium upon completion, and the renovations at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, stand out. Over 25 stadiums and sports academies are undergoing construction across the country, among them Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County, Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Ruring’u Stadium in Nyeri, Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Gusii Stadium in Kisii.
Others are Gakoigo Stadium, Nanyuki Stadium, Ol Kalou Stadium, Thika Stadium, Othaya County Stadium and Mumbi Stadium in Central, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium, Siaya Stadium and Migori Stadium in Nyanza, Olenguruone Stadium in Nakuru, Voi Stadium and Kwale Stadium in the Coastal region, Kidundu Stadium in Western, Wajir Stadium in North Eastern and Eliud Kipchoge Stadium and Kabarnet Stadium in the Great Rift.
It’s encouraging that work at Constituency Sports Academy in Kitui and Kimuchu Sports Academy in Thika is going on.
We hope there will be no more delays in the completion of these sports infrastructure developments and that they will not be politicised.
However, the Auditor-General has already questioned the Talanta Sports City Stadium budget increase by Sh10 billion from the original budget of Sh35 billion. Millions have already been poured into Kamariny, Kipchoge Keino and Ruring’u stadiums yet there is nothing to show. This must stop.