The Cabinet Secretary (CS) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Mr. Salim Mvurya has directed the Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi to reconcile all outstanding issues pertaining to construction of Wote stadium and report to him.
Mvurya asked the PS to bring to the fore issues like the amount of money already paid to the contractor and the scope of work that the contractor, Traphes and Nitram enterprises Limited, was to undertake.
Consequently, the CS expressed his dissatisfaction with the poor workmanship done at the stadium in Makueni County, saying the delayed completion has denied the youths a place to develop and nurture their sports talent.
“I am dissatisfied with the workmanship at the Wote Stadium. It has a lot of confusion on issues like engineering, money paid to the contractor and scope of work,” said Mvurya on Wednesday when he inspected the stadium.
“If it means terminating the contract of the current contractor to ensure work progresses, then you have my blessings,” the CS warned.
During the inspection, the contractor said that he had received Sh107 million through the sports Fund. However, the money allegedly paid through the National Treasury could not be accounted for.
The government intended to spend Sh299 million to construct the stadium whose works started in 2017. However, the site was abandoned and a new one identified in 2020 whereby the work was to be completed in six months.
Mvurya was reacting to leaders’ requests to the national government to have the stadium completed as there is no field that the youths can develop their sports talents in the county. They were led by Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.
On the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Mvurya said the government has already paid the fee required to co-host the event in August jointly with Uganda and Tanzania saying they continue to prepare and that rehabilitation of stadiums was on course.
“We are preparing for the games in August 2025. As a government we are preparing with Uganda and Tanzania. Already we have paid the hosting fees and the rehabilitation of fields like Kasarani is going on well,” he observed.
He further said that the country will be ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations Championships (CHAN) jointly with Uganda and Tanzania respectively in 2027.
On sports academies, the CS said that the government has initiated construction of academies in 37 counties and Makueni will not be left behind.
Present at the event included Principal Secretary Sports Elijah Mwangi and his counterpart for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy Ismael Maalim Madey, Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Duncan Darusi, Gender Sports County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Eng. Sabastian Kyoni among other leaders.
By Patrick Nyakundi
