Mount Kenya University (MKU) in conjunction with Thika High School has announced plans to develop a Sh100 million sports complex in Thika through a public-private partnership.
Peter Waweru who is in-charge of Student’s and Alumnae Affairs at Mount Kenya University revealed the plans and said that they have already received approval by the Board of Management of Thika High School paving way for construction works.
The sports facility which will occupy 12-acres, will comprise a playing field and running track, and a multi-purpose indoor arena. Changing rooms and terraces will also be constructed. Under the public-private deal, Thika High School will provide the land while Mount Kenya University will fund the construction of the sports centre.
“Thika High School had the land but they did not have the resources to develop a sports venue and since we have previously collaborated with them on many areas, we saw the need to fund the project to help develop the idle land into a sports field that will also have an indoor arena. Games like football, rugby, hockey among others will be played on the facility,” said Waweru.
Revenue stream
The facility will be open for use by the public upon completion. The Thika High School-MKU partnership will run for five years subject to renewal. Mr Waweru pointed out that the investment will also help the school rake in revenue by hiring out the facility to the public for meetings or public gatherings.
“The facility will also act as a platform to bring in an extra revenue stream to the school since they can hire the venue for meetings, weddings, or any other activity that requires a vast compound,” said Waweru.
The university further said that another factor that informed the decision to set up a sporting facility at Thika High School was its central location in hosting provincial games mainly from Mount Kenya region. The only notable stadium in the region is Thika Stadium that plays host to mainly football matches.
