Sports Committee blames Treasury for stalled projects

The National Assembly Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism has blamed the Treasury’s reluctance to disburse moneys allocated for sport development for stalled projects across the country.

Out of five facilities earmarked for facelift programs by the Government, only Kasarani International Sports Centre met the threshold to host international competitions.

Renovation works for Kenyatta, Nyayo, Kinoru and Kipchoge Keino stadiums are yet to be complete with the Sports Committee chair Victor Munyaka assessing Kinoru’s progress at 80 percent.

Last year in September, Kenya fell behind its five-venue preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), forcing continental governing body CAF to strip off its rights for the biennial competition.

“It is embarrassing that the country lost the rights to host a regional tournament because of poor preparations; the government needs to push for the release of the funds allocated,” Munyaka said.

Munyaka however said the facilities would be ready if funds were released on time, saying Kinoru has only two-month’s work left before the completion of its renovation works.

During the committee’s tour last week, it was also noted that Kisumu County lacks a National stadium calling on the ministry to establish a kitty to facilitate construction of a stadium in the lake-side city.

“We have an observation that Kisumu doesn’t have a National stadium. Also the Western region needs a modern stadium because most of the sportsmen come from that region. We also need another stadium in Mombasa because it was not factored in the CHAN stadia.

“The Country is in the right track in development of international stadiums. We can achieve this in the next two years and be able to host continental competitions among them Africa Cup of Nations.”

Other facilities that the committee will visit in the regions the inspections are hotels, libraries and tourist attraction sites.

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Kasarani stadium.

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