National government to construct 10,000-seater stadium in Samburu County

By Robert Githu(KNA)

The National Government is set to construct the first ever state of the art stadium in Samburu County to nurture sporting talent for local youths.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony in Maralal town, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said that the government is keen on improving sporting infrastructure across the country.

She noted that the Defence and Sports ministries are collaborating to construct 33 stadiums across the country some of which are nearing completion.

“As East Africa prepares to host AFCON next year, we are confident that Kenya is fully prepared with all the critical infrastructure nearing completion like the Talanta stadium and the refurbishment of Nyayo and Kasarani stadium,”she said.

The CS said that once completed, the Maralal stadium will be a ten-thousand-seater, will have a standard eight lane athletic track, a modern football pitch, standard changing rooms, VIP pavilion and flood lights for night games.

“The stadium will be a multi-purpose hub and will host cultural events and national holidays. It will be sustainable with shops and offices to rent for revenue collection to maintain the stadium and job creation,”the CS noted.

Tuya emphasised that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will play a central role in the project by providing supervision, quality control and ensuring efficient project execution within set deadlines.

The CS said that local youths and women will be employed as laborers to spur economic empowerment while local businesses will be given first priority to supply construction materials.

She noted that apart from the stadium, the government has ongoing projects such as the construction of Maralal-Morijo road, Kisima- Suraduruu road, Baragoi airstrip and the construction of Yamo dam treatment plant.

“This shows that the government has made deliberate efforts to ensure that there is equity and fairness in all counties,”she said.

The CS said insecurity hinders development and urged residents to work closely with security agencies to end banditry in Northern Kenya.

“The President is determined to end insecurity and banditry in Northern Kenya, there are a few challenges but we have a moment to talk about development and join the rest of Kenya in building hospitals, schools and other development projects," she said.

On his part, Samburu County Governor Lati Lelelit thanked the National Government for fully funding the construction saying that most of the county government budget allocation goes to operation costs.

Lelelit said that the county government will pump Sh100 million to construct the new stadium's drainage system which has not been included in the construction budget.

The ground breaking ceremony was also attended by Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, former woman representative Maison Leshoomo and MCAs.

ENDS