'Tell us the truth!' - Uasin Gishu Governor Chelilim questions Ababu Namwamba on Kipchoge Keino Stadium completion

Welcome to the never-ending saga of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, the epic stadium that was meant to grace the rich athletic lands of Uasin Gishu County. Ten years later the stadium remains nothing more than a dream, perhaps some shattered here too. In CS Ababu Namwamba's words, 'it looks like a grazing field.'

Amidst the mounting frustration, Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Chelilim Bii has raised his voice, demanding transparency from the Ministry of Sports and the truth behind the stadium's prolonged sorry state.

Speaking at the County Headquarters on Thursday 22 June 2023 the Governor noted that Eldoret, the City of Champions was just a name without a functional stadium. The visibly concerned Governor, without holding back, demanded that the truth be revealed.

"Tell us the truth. If this thing is not working, tell us instead of giving us false hopes. In Kakamega, the stadium is ready, Kisumu has a ready stadium, but the City of Champions does not have a stadium. What is the Home of Champions without the stadium? Chelilim posed.

"The other day we were with CS Namwamba and we told him that it was not the first time he visited the stadium. He had visited last year, got mad about it and nothing happened. On Tuesday, he came again, with his PS, and again, was mad at the stalled stadium.

I want to tell you, Hon. CS, please, the City of Champions has a big name. All athletic heroes live here. The other day we had Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge. People come psyched up to see the stadium because of its naming after a legendary athlete but when they come, they are disappointed. Tutaambia nini watu?(what will we tell people?)" the Governor added.

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The Governor further stated that all monies allocated for the completion of the stadium be disbursed before August when Eldoret will host the 8th Devolution Conference that is set to attract between 8,000 to 10,000 delegates. The Devolution Conference will be hosted by the Council of Governors (CoG) from August 15-19.

"So, all the monies that are meant to complete this stadium should be disbursed between now and August during the devolution conference. And if there is anyone who ate the money allocated for the stadium, why not arrest them? Do you know them? Do not play with the people's property," Governor Chelilim stated.

CS Namwamba first visited the stadium in December 2022 before his recent visit on Tuesday 20 June 2023. During his visit, he assured that the monies had been released as promised.

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"The contractor can confirm that we have released some money to keep them going," Namwamba said during the visit.

Who then holds the torch of truth? Could the truth be lost in the labyrinth of paperwork, or maybe snatched away by the mischievous winds of politics? Whatever the case, one thing is certain, the lack of a proper stadium in the county continues to drag the talented athletes behind.