Sports enthusiasts in Kisumu have a reason to smile after the national government yesterday commissioned the construction of a 30,000-seater stadium in Kisumu County. 

The project will commence in December and is expected to be complete within 10 months.

Kisumu County government has consequently identified Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground at the heart of the town for the proposed stadium.

Funding of the project remains cloaked in mystery with the hope that proceeds from the Sports and Arts and Social Welfare Fund (formerly Sports Fund) will finance it.

Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disclosed that president Uhuru Kenyatta had given her specific instructions that a world class stadium be built in Kisumu forthwith.

The directive set in motion negotiations between her ministry and Kisumu County government to identify the venue.

“We were directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to put up a stadium in these grounds and make sure it’s a modern, beautiful and befitting of the city of Kisumu.

That is why we are starting that journey today. We already have expert engineers from the Ministry of Public Works who arrived yesterday and started work,” Amina said.

Continental tour

She stated: “We are going to be frequent visitors to these shores to ensure the time frame we were given is met.

This is one of the many projects we intend to finish in the near future. We started with Nyayo which is almost complete and works are going on in Kasarani which we hope will be ready for Continental Tour that will be held in the country.”

After completion, Sports Kenya will be in charge of the facility making it the third facility under Sport Kenya’s portfolio. “This is going to be not a marathon but a sprint.

We have to ensure that work is completed between six and 10 months. If we have a beautiful stadium in Kisumu it will serve the entire region well so I’m grateful that the president gave priority to this region,” Amina said.