West Pokot County has set in motion preparations to host two of Kenya’s biggest inter-county sporting events after delegates from across the country expressed satisfaction with the county’s state of preparedness following a four-day inspection tour of sports facilities and accommodation venues.
The delegation, comprising officials from the Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) and the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA), concluded an extensive assessment of venues that will host the 13th edition of the KICOSCA Games in November this year and the KYISA National Championships in April next year.
The inspection culminated in a courtesy call on West Pokot Governor, Simon Kachapin, at his Kapenguria residence, where the governor welcomed delegates from the participating counties and invited them to become ambassadors of the county by sharing its positive story with the rest of the country.
Governor Kachapin said hosting the two national competitions marks a historic milestone for West Pokot and presents a rare opportunity to showcase the county’s immense tourism potential, vibrant cultural heritage and remarkable development to thousands of visitors expected during the events.
“This is more than just a sporting event. It is an opportunity for Kenyans to discover the true West Pokot. For many years, our county has been misunderstood and negatively stereotyped despite being one of the safest counties in the country according to national crime statistics,” said the governor.
He noted that cases of cattle rustling and banditry frequently highlighted in the media occur only in isolated border areas inhabited by pastoral communities and do not reflect the prevailing security situation across the county.
Kachapin assured athletes, officials and supporters that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee their safety throughout the competitions.
“Our preparations are in the final stages, funding has already been set aside and we are determined to host memorable games that will set a new benchmark for future editions,” he said.
The governor encouraged visitors to take advantage of the competitions to tour the county’s numerous attractions, including the historic Kapenguria Museum, home of the famed Kapenguria Six, where Kenya’s founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and fellow freedom fighters were detained during the struggle for independence.
He also urged participants to explore the colonial law courts at Chewoyet National School alongside the county’s breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural heritage.
As Chairperson of the Council of Governors’ Committee on Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Services, Kachapin underscored the unifying power of sports, saying they remain one of the strongest platforms for fostering national cohesion among the 47 counties.
He further applauded the national government’s investment in sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania, saying the developments have elevated the country’s sporting profile globally.
National KICOSCA Chairman John Ang’awa, who led the inspection team, said the delegation was impressed by the progress made by the county government in upgrading sporting infrastructure and preparing facilities capable of hosting a national competition.
“We have inspected the playing fields, indoor halls and accommodation facilities and we are satisfied with what we have seen. The county government has invested heavily not only in its own facilities but also in improving those owned by partner institutions such as schools. This demonstrates serious commitment towards hosting successful games,” said Ang’awa.
He observed that devolution has played a significant role in accelerating development across counties and expressed confidence that West Pokot was ready to welcome participants from all parts of the country.
KICOSCA Vice Chairperson and Technical Committee Chair Fred Onundu said the county is about 95 percent prepared, adding that the remaining works will be completed well before the competitions begin.
“The facilities are adequate, both for outdoor and indoor disciplines. The technical team has been impressed by the level of preparation and we encourage all participating counties to intensify training because the stage is almost set,” said Onundu.
He thanked Governor Kachapin for accepting to serve as patron of KICOSCA and urged counties to turn up in large numbers for the November games.
The competitions are expected to attract more than 15,000 athletes, officials and supporters, creating significant business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, entertainment providers and small-scale traders while boosting the county’s economy.
Photo by Parklea Ivor.
County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture, Gender, Social Services, Sports and Youth Affairs, Lucy Litole, hailed the county government’s commitment to hosting the two national events, saying the preparations demonstrate the administration’s determination to position West Pokot among Kenya’s leading sporting and tourism destinations.
“We are proud that West Pokot has earned the confidence to host these prestigious championships. My department is fully committed to ensuring every visitor enjoys an unforgettable experience, from our hospitality and culture to the quality of the sporting facilities. We want every team to leave as ambassadors of our county,” she said.
Litole expressed confidence in the county’s athletes, noting that West Pokot has consistently produced some of the country’s finest performers across various sporting disciplines.
“Our players have continually excelled in different competitions, and as the host county, we are ready to showcase that talent once again. We promise visiting teams exciting, highly competitive games while ensuring they experience the warmth and hospitality that define West Pokot,” she added.
The KICOSCA Games serve as a key qualification pathway for athletes seeking selection to represent Team Kenya at the regional East African Local Authorities Sports and Cultural Association (EALASCA) championships, while KYISA provides a national platform for talented youth aged between 18 and 23 years to showcase their abilities before scouts from professional clubs and national teams.
For the first time in its history, West Pokot will host the prestigious KICOSCA Games, a development widely viewed as a defining moment that will place the county firmly on Kenya’s sporting and tourism map.
By Parklea Ivor
