Murkomen breathes new life into stalled Kamariny Stadium
By Kiprono Keileb, July 25, 2025In a powerful mix of dialogue and development, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen returned to his political backyard on Friday, July 25, 2025, not just to talk security but to prove that promises can be reignited, quite literally from the ground up.
Murkomen was in Elgeyo Marakwet for the 20th edition of Jukwaa la Usalama, a grassroots public safety engagement forum that has crisscrossed counties with a focus on community-driven solutions. But it was the Kamariny Stadium, a once-abandoned construction site near Iten town, that stole the spotlight.
The 10,000-seater stadium, which had stalled for years amid political shifts and contractor woes, is now back on track. Murkomen confirmed that construction has officially resumed, and he expressed confidence in the new contractor’s ability to complete the job within the next 12 months, this time, to standard.
“It had become a symbol of broken promises, but today we are restoring not just a stadium, but public trust,” said Murkomen during the site inspection.
The stadium, a key infrastructure project meant to boost local talent and position Iten as a global athletics hub, will host both ball sports and track events. The second phase, according to officials, will include athlete hostels to support training camps for both local and international runners.
Local leaders who accompanied the CS, including Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Keiyo North MP Adams Kipsanai, and Speaker Lawi Kibire, welcomed the move as a win for both development and morale in a region often associated with security concerns.
And that’s where Jukwaa la Usalama ties in.
The forum, attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, and county MCAs, focused on how security and development go hand in hand.
“You cannot talk about youth and crime without also talking about unemployment and underdevelopment,” Murkomen added. “We must create avenues for talent, and Kamariny is one of them.”
The symbolism of restarting a long-stalled project while holding a security forum wasn’t lost on the community. Locals, many of whom have felt neglected after previous contractors disappeared from the site, now say they’re cautiously optimistic.
“We’ve heard this before,” said Kiptoo Kirwa, a retired athlete from Iten. “But now that machines are back and leaders are present, maybe this time it’s real.”
Murkomen’s critics have often accused him of making political appearances without action. But this visit, combining policy, infrastructure, and community safety, seemed designed to counter that narrative.
As the sun set over the scenic Kerio Valley, the message was clear: In Elgeyo Marakwet, development and dialogue must run side by side.