Renewed focus by Govt on infrastructural tools promises significant shift country’s sporting trajectory
By Vincent Voiyoh, October 25, 2023Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has reiterated the government’s commitment to forge close partnerships with county governments to improve the state of stadia across the counties.
Namwamba Minister said the co-operation will ensure his ministry its goal to develop as well as upgrade the status of various sporting facilities across the country.
While inspecting the Marsabit Stadium in Marsabit County, Namwamba the Minister stated the Government is on a mission to improve sporting infrastructure in Kenya, a cause which he said would be guided by the Sports Infrastructure Masterplan, providing a scientifically established guide on the kind of facilities to be developed.
“We are putting an end to the haphazard development of sporting facilities in the country. We want to make sure that every facility that we develop returns value for the taxpayers’ money invested,” said Namwamba, who was accompanied by local Governor Mohamud Ali, during the tour.
“It is in this regard that the Sports Infrastructure Masterplan provides a detailed guide on what kind of stadium to build, where to build it, and how much value Kenyans will derive from such investments.”
Said Namwamba: “We have mapped out various upgrades and development of sporting infrastructure, classifying them into international standard stadia, Regional Stadia, as well as Community grounds.”
The Minister assured Ali that his ministry would partner with the county to ensure that Marsabit Stadium is upgraded and that work commences immediately. On his part, the Governor lauded Namwamba for his hands-on approach on sports, which he said was a key factor in the turn-around witnessed in the sporting industry and assured the CS that his government would continue the close partnership with the ministry to deliver a proper Stadium for the people of Marsabit.
Furthermore, the two leaders agreed for work to commence immediately, to complete the first phase of the development in the next four to five weeks. The renovations and upgrades will be done in two phases, with the first being the completion of terraces, improvement of the playing turf, completion of a car park, as well as the rehabilitation of the VIP pavilion.
The second phase of the renovation will include the laying of a canopy all around the stadium and the installation of seats. The CS was accompanied by the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund CEO Nuh Ibrahim, Sports Kenya Chair Peter Gitau, and Director General Pius Metto, among other officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The visit by Namwamba comes at a time when Kenya is preparing to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. This is after they won a joint bid with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania to stage the event for the first time in the history of the East African region. Kenya has also been handed the right to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a dress rehearsal for the AFCON tournament.