Construction of the Ruring’u stadium in Nyeri County is set to be completed by June 2021. Governor Mutahi Kahiga made the announcement and affirmed that ongoing construction works is encouraging.
Construction of the 20,000-seater Stadium was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017, but its construction stalled months later due to non-payment of the contractor by the government. The facility which is being touted as the biggest stadium in Mt. Kenya region will feature modern changing rooms, sports shop, a restaurant and a VIP terrace.
“We are working in partnership with National Government who are working on the playing surface and other facilities around it while our focus has been the perimeter wall which is almost complete. We are sure that the stadium will be complete by June 2021 despite the financial complications brought as a result of Covid-19 pandemic” asserted Kahiga.
Cancellation of tender
Sports Kenya had threatened to push for the cancellation of tender for the contractor working on Sh 280million stadium which was due for completion by July 30 this year. The National Assembly adopted the Report of the Departmental Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism on the Inquiry into the Status of Stadia in Kenya tabled in parliament on October 13, 2020.
The report which was tabled by Committee Chairman and Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau after conducting inspection visits to various stadiums in the country established that most of the companies awarded the contracts for the construction of the stadia lacked the requisite capacities in terms of finances and equipment to enable them deliver the projects on time.
“The estimated cost of the projects is Sh 4.4 billion and the amount paid to date is Sh 2.6 billion translating to 59% of the estimate. Sports Kenya ignored personnel from the State Department of Public works and contrary they engaged private consultants who did not demonstrate competency in their work. Most of the contractors undertaking works are behind schedule which may lead to the delay in the completion of the projects and further variations” the report stated.
Under the fourth schedule of the Constitution, Count Administrations have a critical role to play in the construction, management and maintenance of stadiums in the Country as well as rehabilitation and operationalisation of sports activities and facilities in Kenya. The government has maintained that it will fulfill its pledge of building five stadia before the 2022 General Elections as part of their development agenda for sports.
