Kisumu County partners with National Government in bid to renovate sporting infrastructure

Cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Ababu Namwamba on Friday 20 October made a tour of the Moi Stadium in Kisumu County where he announced a partnership between the National Government and the County Government of Kisumu, that will see the renovation and development of sporting infrastructure in the country.

The CS was received by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o and Nominated member in charge of Sports for the county Beatrice Wadiaga, who all welcomed the idea of having the Government come in to the county’s aid of building a proper stadium worth hosting top international events by July next year.

“We thank the CS for this visit and welcome the step because these are discussions that have been ongoing for a long time,” Anyang Nyong’o said. “To build a stadium, it takes money. And for us to have this partnership with the National Government, I am now confident that even as the Africa Cup of Nations games come, by the time we reach July next year, we will have a different stadium here.”

The CS visit came in the wake of a past discourse amongst Western County Governments in regards to why they were not awarded opportunities to host the 2027 AFCON games.

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As it stands, three stadiums; Nyayo National Stadium, Kipchoge Keino Stadium and the Moi International Sports Stadium - Kasarani will be the grounds proposed to host the biennial games.

“This is a very iconic facility and we have all the intentions with the County Government to put a new stadium here,” Ababu said. “It is good we invest in the right levels of facilities in this big city - an entertainment capital of the Republic. This engagement has not started now, and I am delighted that both plans are in sync and that Kisumu will be open to hosting major international events. Dala 7s was a successful event and we believe that the county is high level in regards to hosting big sports events.”

The CS also embraced the debate around hosting opportunities for regions across the country, noting that barely 11 months ago, Kenya’s football scene was on a complete standstill, amidst the suspension from the international football governing body - FIFA.

Kisumu will later this year host the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship set to take place from 25 November to 9 December.