Construction of Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka-Nithi has still remained unfinished despite Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed giving the contractor one week to complete the project.
The Sh 247million facility is located in the suburbs of Chuka town in Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency. Construction of the stadium with 4,500-seater capacity began in 2016 and the project was expected to be complete in 2017, but it stalled for almost two years due to financial issues before work resumed at a slow pace.
It was started by Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki when he was Chuka/Igambang’ombe Member of Parliament before the Ministry of Sports took over. ย The stadium will have a football pitch, a rugby pitch, an athletics track, a volleyball court and a basketball court.
Boosting sporting activities
Speaking during the February 4, visit, Amina who was accompanied by Sports Kenya Chairman Fred Muteti, said the contractor, Toddy Civil Engineering and Construction Company, had been insincere with the government on the promise to complete work. The CS also accused the contractor of seeking more government tenders while he had failed to deliver on the old ones.
Upon completion, Kirubia Stadium will be the first stadium in the region and is expected to boost sporting activities. Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture Amina Mohamed will inspect it before inviting President Uhuru Kenyatta to commission it. In addition, the county government is also constructing three mini-stadiums; Kathwana at the county headquarters, Nyangumi in Tharaka constituency and Kairuni in Maara constituency.
