Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction works at the Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret, assuring the facility is on schedule to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Murkomen noted that the 15,000-seater stadium, which is being supervised by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), is being developed to international standards and will significantly enhance the North Rift’s capacity to host major sporting events.
Speaking to the media during an inspection tour of the facility, Friday, Murkomen said the eastern and western wings were nearing completion, while the stadium’s canopy was being imported and was expected to arrive in good time for the October 20 celebrations.
“We are happy with the progress. We have been briefed by the contractor and the KDF, who are supervising the works, and we can see that there is really very good progress,” he said.
Murkomen said the Stadium had been designed as a comfortable 15,000-seater facility, similar in scale to Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, with skyboxes, VIP facilities, changing rooms, a podium and other amenities required for an international-standard stadium.
“This is a 15,000-seater Stadium with skyboxes, VIP facilities and everything that is needed for an international stadium,” he said.
The CS said completion of the facility would have significance beyond the Mashujaa Day celebrations by positioning Eldoret as a destination for international sporting events.
He said the Stadium could in future host continental football matches, including games involving teams from Egypt and other African countries, as Eldoret’s football teams continue to develop.
“This is very significant in terms of exposing this region. Remember also this is an athletics region,” Murkomen said.
He said the Government was also developing sports facilities in Kapsabet and Iten, including 340-bed hostels to support sports training and talent development.
Murkomen said the Mashujaa Day programme would extend beyond infrastructure development, with cultural, sporting, security and financial activities planned across Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet.
He said grassroots sporting competitions would commence in September, with participants expected to compete from the village level to regional finals, while balls, jerseys and other sporting equipment would be distributed to communities.
The CS said cultural auditions were also underway across the three counties to identify musicians, actors and other creatives who would participate in the celebrations.
He added that the Government had identified sports, security and finance, as the three key themes of the programme, with a security event planned for the Kerio Valley, a sports conference expected in Elgeyo Marakwet and a finance conference proposed for Nandi.
Murkomen said approximately 20 kilometres of roads were being developed in Eldoret and its environs as part of the wider infrastructure projects associated with the co-hosting programme.
He said similar road and other development projects were ongoing in Iten, Kapsabet and other urban centres.
The CS also addressed concerns surrounding the possible relocation of graves located near the Stadium, saying the process would be undertaken with respect for the deceased, their families and the cultural practices of the affected communities.
He said any relocation would be preceded by consultations, public participation and engagement with the families concerned, to ensure the process was conducted in a dignified and culturally sensitive manner.
“We have our customs, cultures and consultations, to make sure that if there will be relocations, as indicated, it must be done the right way. We must respect the families of those who have departed, their cultures and the situation that people are in,” Murkomen said.
He said the current location of the graves was not conducive for families visiting to perform cultural rites and remember their departed loved ones, particularly given the ongoing development around the stadium.
“If you look at the exposure that the graveyard has at the moment, it is no longer very conducive for families that sometimes come there to perform certain rites and remember their loved ones. They must be relocated to a better place that is dignified and can protect our people,” he said.
Murkomen emphasised that the matter should not become a source of conflict, noting that the Constitution provides for public participation and consultation in matters affecting communities.
“It shouldn’t be a point of contention. As provided for in our Constitution, it will be done through public participation, engagement and consultations,” he said.
Uasin Gishu Governor, Jonathan Bii, said the County was ready to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, thanking President William Ruto for selecting Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet as co-hosts of the national event.
Bii said the co-hosting arrangement had already attracted significant development projects to the region, including road upgrades, markets, health facilities and sports infrastructure.
The Governor expressed confidence that Kipchoge Stadium would finally be completed after years of delays, saying its completion would mark the end of longstanding challenges surrounding the facility.
“This Stadium has a history of very many years. We don’t know when it was started and we don’t know when it will end, but for some reason, I believe this time we’ll complete it properly, and the historical problems will be forgotten forever,” he said.
The main Mashujaa Day celebrations will be held at Kipchoge Stadium on October 20, with related activities spread across the three North Rift counties as part of the co-hosting programme.
The CS was accompanied by Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor, Wisley Rotich, Nandi Governor, Stephen Sang, Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, Gladys Boss Shollei, and other leaders from the three counties that will co-host the event.
By Fredrick Maritim
