Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has ordered the fast-tracking of construction works at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County, saying the government will no longer tolerate delays in delivering the long-awaited facility.
Mwangi toured the site on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, to assess progress on the multi-million-shilling project that has stalled for years despite the completion of its first phase.
The PS said the project had now moved into an advanced implementation stage, following a directive from President William Ruto, who during a recent visit to the county observed that the stadium lacked adequate space for a residential pavilion.
“Through Sports Kenya, we identified a contractor to expand the residential pavilion so it can accommodate more spectators. We have also pinpointed several areas requiring urgent improvement, including the playing field,” Mwangi said.
He noted that the grass on the pitch had not developed as expected, prompting the government to instruct the contractor to increase manpower and speed up works to meet the required sporting standards.
Current progress, he said, stands at 70 per cent, with the facility expected to be completed and handed over within four months.
“This stadium must serve the youth of Tharaka Nithi. If a stadium remains unused, it does not help anyone,” he added.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who accompanied the PS, criticised the prolonged delays, saying the county’s youth have waited too long for a facility that could unlock their sporting potential.
“This stadium has the potential to produce national-level athletes and footballers, yet delays continue to deny our youth opportunities,” Njuki said.
The governor called for stronger collaboration between the national and county governments to ensure timely delivery, warning that the project must not spill over into the next administration.
Kirubia Stadium was first handed to a contractor in 2016, but progress has repeatedly stalled, prompting renewed concerns over timelines, accountability, and quality of works.
Technical teams from Sports Kenya are expected to re-examine the terram system to determine whether it should be repaired or replaced before the final handover.
By Dickson Mwiti
