Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga counties roll stadium projects

The County Government of Kakamega has begun the reconstruction of Bukhungu Stadium (formerly Motcom Stadium) in a venture that will see the first phase of the project completed by December, 2016.

This comes just weeks after the Ministry of Sports and Culture announced plans to construct and refurbish major sporting facilities in different parts of the country at a shared cost of Ksh200 from national and Sh50m from county administrations.

Kakamega County Minister of Sports, Major Suleiman Sumba has noted that the new stadium project will cost Ksh1b as the region props itself as a sporting powerhouse.

“We have allocated Ksh400m for the first phase. We have met with the National Government and have requested them to donate Ksh250million towards the project,” Sumba added saying the plan will be executed in five phases expressing optimism Bukhungu Stadium will meet international standards.

At the same, neighbouring Busia County announced the completion of its stadium saying it will soon be opened for use.

“I’m happy to announce that the construction of the Busia County stadium is complete and it even pleases me more that our stadium will rank third highest in the country in terms of quality standards,” declared Governor Sospeter Ojamoong.

His administration is keen to nurture sporting talent with plans that include conducting talent searches at the grassroots level. Ojamoong, urged youth to actively participate in county-organized events to showcase their talent and abilities.

Similar programs are being set up in Vihiga County where lack of a stadium has forced the Vihiga United FC to seek refuge at the Mumias Complex for training prompting its regional government to embark on the construction of a stadium.

The significant investment by local governments are a pointer to the economic returns of sport as counties strive to boost their earning power in a field largely relegated as leisure and social order activity.