President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the contractor who has been tasked with the rehabilitation work of Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu to do so in the given timelines and ensure the facility is ready for use by April next year.
President Kenyatta said it’s a high time Kisumu, which is one of the most important cities in the country, has a sports facility that meets international standards to serve the increasing number of prospective sportsmen and women in the region.
The head of state also directed that the road leading to the facility be repaired ahead of the official opening, adding that it will host its first match which will be the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in April 2021.
Kenyatta made the announcement when he commissioned the facility that is currently at 7 per cent completion in which Sh415 million budget has been drawn for its renovation to accommodate 20,000 fans.
Once complete, the multi-purpose stadium will have a football pitch, basketball courts, hockey pitch and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts to be used by the entire lake region sports persons.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed had earlier said the government had commenced the construction of the stadium which will be the second after Moi Stadium to meet international standards in the lakeside city.
Amina made the revelation when she paid a courtesy call to Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o.
“Already experts from the Ministry of Public Works have arrived at the site and work has begun in earnest and we expected it to be complete within the set time lines,” said Amina.
The CS said she expected most of the work to be complete by December 2020.
“We hope that we will get a report very quickly from the team so that we can embark on the actual construction works at the grounds, and as per the plans, deliver the ultimate state-of-the-art stadium that meets international standards, by December this year,” affirmed the CS.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyongo said it has been his wish to see that the city got the right sports infrastructure.
The impending development means that Jomo Kenyatta Sports will join the many stadiums that the national government, led by President Uhuru, has earmarked for modernization and development.
Others which have gone through repairs including Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani, Kinoru Stadium in Meru, Kipchoge Keino in Eldoret and Dandora Stadium in Nairobi and the Kericho Green Stadium.
Already, Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani are ready to host international matches after extensive work was done on them.
