Meru MCAs demand Kinoru Stadium audit

The Meru County Assembly has recommended a financial appraisal on the value of money channelled into renovation of Kinoru Stadium.

The Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Investments as well as Culture, Youth, Sports and Social Services on progress of the project is seeking and audit after the Executive claimed it was 80 percent complete.

The renovations started in 2014 and completion of first phase was expected six months later but it is yet to come to reality.

Ksh121million has already been spent on the famous grounds with the Joint Committee chair, Daniel Kiogora, noting that the contractor is yet to receive Ksh46m as phase one is not complete.

During this financial year, the County Government allocated Ksh80m for completion of the stadium.

“Phase one was allocated Sh167m million and it is yet to be complete. We need to see the value for money we have put there as we wait for Ksh80m to finalize the construction,” Kiogora added.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Tusker FC had adopted the field as their home ground but forced to relocate and allow the face lift.

Despite the delay in completion, Brewers manager Charles Obiny has been on record saying their hearts are in Meru and are set to return once it conforms to minimum standards.

The MCAs now want relevant departments to speed up renovations so that the 2018 Africa Home Nation Championships can be played in the stadium.

In April, CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani who toured Kinoru urged developers to meet standards set by world body FIFA.

“We are looking at the best available options to host the games. These are 16 national teams including the host nation so the magnitude of the tournament is equivalent to the cup of Nations,” the continental body boss said at the time.

Report by Mwenda Kinoti