Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa chats with FKF officials during official closing of football for primary school program to nature talents at a grassroots training workshop at Bukhungu stadium at Kakamega on July 30, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]
Kakamega County is considering expansion plans that would increase the capacity of Bukhungu Stadium to at least 60,000.
Governor Fernandes Barasa disclosed that he has reached out to President William Ruto to offer financial support.
According to Barasa, the recent Kenya National Secondary School Games held at the stadium informed the decision to have the facility expanded to accommodate more people.
"The stadium was fully parked and hundreds of fans were forced to remain standing during the secondary school games," said the governor.
"I am already engaging our President Ruto to help us have the stadium expanded from the current 30, 000 sitting capacity to more than double to make it the second largest after Kasarani international sports center in Nairobi."
The governor said if upgraded, Bukhungu Stadium will play an important role in nurturing talents and creating employment opportunities for the youths.
He said the county government has allocated Sh1.28 billion to Social Services, Youth, and Sports in 2023/2024 financial year budget with Sh570 million earmarked for the completion of Bukhungu Stadium.
"The construction works are undergoing with roofing set to be completed soon as we plan on how to expand the facility," said Barasa.
Bukhungu Stadium was among former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya's flagship projects initiated in 2016.
"This is one of our flagship projects as a county and we plan to have the planned sugar conference next month at this stadium," said Barasa.
Governor Barasa will need to raise at least Sh3 billion required to complete phase two of the project.
Phase one which was completed in 2017 gobbled up Sh475 million according to the county chief.
Kakamega County Sports Minister Mophat Mandela told The Standard that the stadium is projected to cost a total of Sh6.6 billion.
Phase one involves VIP terraces, changing rooms, conference rooms, and, referee rooms, and parking spaces with a capacity of 200 vehicles.
The second phase which is at 48 percent will feature the building of terraces on the C- section connecting the main VIP to the rest of the stadium, gym space, dispensary room and offices according to Mandela.
He said the third and final phase will cost Sh1.9bilion and it will consist of the construction of the last arch supporting the terraces that will connect the two C-sections of phases one and two to the entire stadium.
"In the last phase we intend to roof the terraces, construction of a police station and banking halls," he said. The stadium will also have a modern swimming pool, FIFA hotel, media center, two training pitches and a commercial affiliate village and referee hotels.
