Government in plans to give 9 stadiums facelifts

Nine stadiums will receive face lifts in a joint venture between the central and county Governments, Sports Minister Dr. Hassan Wario announced today.

The scheme will see the central Government allocate Ksh200 million with the county administrations adding 50 million to complete the earmarked projects.

“We are just beginning the journey of setting up model county stadia but this has not stopped us from what we’re doing at the national level. Jubilee promised five stadia and currently we have designed 3 and are at the stage of almost advertising for the PPP for the joint venture.

“We are consulting now with the treasury on land issues and the finalization of the plan. This goes concurrently with the bigger venture of the three bigger stadia that we are establishing,” said Wario.

Elgeyo Marakwet, Chuka, Kisii, Marsabit, Kisumu Eldoret, Lodwar, Mombasa and Nyeri are among the sporting facilities that will get new looks.

Those in Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa that were renovated recently will have their pavilions demolished to bring them up to world football governing body FIFA standards.

“We want to spread things like athletics to places where residents have potential talent but lack the exposure to exploit them. This includes places like Chuka Lodwar and Marsabit. We want to facilitate the youth so that they can be able to participate at the national and international levels,” Wario added.

The Jubilee administration’s election manifesto promised Kenyans five brand new stadiums in Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Garissa and Eldoret.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration also assured Kenyans that the country will bid to host major sporting events including the 2019 African Cup of Nations and 2019 World Athletics Championships.

The Kenya government wrote a commitment letter to Confederation of African Football to host the 2019 football extravaganza.

Addition Reporting by Charity Wanja