Rio silver medalist urges gov’t to renovate Nyeri stadium

Athletes from Nyeri County have urged the county government to renovate Ruring’u Stadium to enable them perform better.

Speaking during his homecoming ceremony, Boniface Mucheru who won a silver medal in the 400 metres category at the 2016 Rio Olympics said that some of the athletes had to shift training grounds after sustaining injuries at the dilapidated stadium.

“We have gone to train as far as Ngong because Ruring’u stadium is not conducive for training. Something needs to be done so that more athletes can turn up, ” he said.

Former world championship marathoner Catherine Ndereba also asked the county government to consider renovating the stadium, which she said has been neglected.

“It is on a high altitude area just like Iten, but I’m saddened  to see the stadium being turned into a grazing field for livestock. I urge our president and other leaders to look into the matter,” she said.

Kieni County MP Kanini Kega who was also present at the event asked the government to build and renovate stadia in every county to enable growth of athletic talent in the region.

The renovation process has reportedly been delayed due to  an ownership row between the county government and the Agriculture Society of Kenya.

Written by Chebet Birir