Governor gives eviction notice to encroachers of stadium land

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has issued a notice of eviction to people who have encroached on land belonging to Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi.

Speaking at a football tournament at the stadium on Sunday, Mr Wangamati said the county would soon start evictions of people illegally occupying part of the stadium’s 16 acres of land.

“I put on notice those who have encroached on public land belonging to this stadium and I am asking them to move out with immediate effect before county enforcement officers come in and evict them,” he said.

The statement comes in the wake of plans by the county to renovate facilities in the stadium as part of its flagship projects. Wangamati said the upgrade of the stadium is among efforts to identify, grow, harness and encourage youth talent in various disciplines.

The construction, earmarked to start towards the end of May, will see the stadium upgraded to a 9,000-seater capacity facility. The new facility will have 21 offices including a VIP Room, a VIP waiting room, Presidential Room, a media room among other offices.

The project is expected to cost the county close to Sh700 million in the first phase.

He said that other phases will see the construction of alternative pitches and a gymnasium to lift the standards of the stadium and grow talents in the sports rich Western Kenya town.

“We are the bedrock of sports in this region and upgrading of the facility will aid in nurturing sports talents in the area and also create employment for people involved in sports,” he said.

In published adverts on the County Government Website, and in local dailies, the County’s Department of Gender, Youths and Sports has invited members of the general public and all stakeholders to participate and provide their views on the proposed construction of the stadium on April 30, 2019 alongside other projects.