President Uhuru to complete nine stadiums in three months

President Uhuru Kenyatta accompanied by other government officials at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The facility was reopened on September 26, 2020, after a two-year refurbishment exercise. [PSCU]

The government will upgrade more than nine stadiums by December, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

Speaking on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium when he reopened the facility, President Uhuru directed the Ministry of Sorts, Culture and Heritage to ensure the facilities are upgraded in three months’ time.

“I direct the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to work round the clock to ensure these facilities are completed, ready for commissioning by the end of December 2020,” he said.

Uhuru said apart from upgrading Nyayo Stadium, other sports facilities in the country will also get a facelift to international level improve sports in the country.

“Our endeavour is to ensure that our sporting facilities can compare favourably with the top addresses around the world.”

He said the government has set aside funds to upgrade to completion the Jamhuri Sports, Leisure and Entertainment Park in Nairobi; in addition to the upgrade of sporting facilities in Eldoret, Marsabit, Meru, Chuka, Kisumu, Nyeri, Makueni, Wanguru in Kirinyaga and Kirigiti in Kiambu.

President Uhuru said the National government will also work with county governments to co-finance the refurbishment of county sports facilities.

“We are in discussions with the county governments of Mombasa, Kakamega, Narok and Kisii to co-finance and upgrade to international standards, the existing facilities in their counties,” he said.

He said the improved Nyayo Stadium was as a result of works that began in the year 2017 and emphasised that soon other facilities will be upgraded.

He said the new Nyayo Stadium will in October host the Kip Keino Classic, which will be the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Event to be held on the African continent.

In just over a week, this Stadium will play host to the Kip Keino Classic, which will be the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Event to be held on the African continent.

 The event, named after our great hero and trailblazing Olympic champion, Kipchoge Keino, will bring together elite athletes from all over the world to compete in various track and field events on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

The President also directed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to redouble their efforts in re-convening the major sporting events that were postponed, due to Covid-19 pandemic.

He cited the hosting of Kip Keino Classic event an indication that other counties of the world trust Kenya’s ability to contain Covid-19.

 President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto pledged to build five stadiums in 2013 and another nine in 2017, pledges that are yet to be met by the government.