Ruto Addresses Stadium Promise Trolls
President William Ruto has pledged to complete all stalled stadiums and facilities in the country, in response to critics who criticized him for making a similar pledge while serving as vice president under the previous administration.
President William Ruto stated at the opening of Talanta Plaza in Nairobi on September 1 that he now has the opportunity to fulfill his previous pledge to construct and upgrade stadiums in his capacity as head of state.
“The government is committed to providing the infrastructure that will return international football to Kenya in a very significant and intentional way,” said the president.
“We are all aware of the debate in Kenya about the stadia. Many people all the time reminded me about the stadia and how they were not complete. We now have the opportunity to prove the metal that we are made of by making sure that we complete all the stadia.”
Therefore, he entrusted Ababu Namwamba, the cabinet secretary for sports, with drafting a plan outlining how the government can upgrade facilities to international standards.
In light of the enhancements, Ruto emphasized the importance of ensuring that the stadiums are accredited to host international events to expand opportunities.
“We are at this moment upgrading the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret,” said Ruto.
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The President stated that the improvements will strengthen Kenya’s quest to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
During the 2013 election campaigns, the Jubilee Coalition released a manifesto that included the construction of nine stadiums throughout the nation.
Under former President Uhruu Kenyatta, Jubilee pledged to further enhance and modernize existing facilities.
“In six months, the stadium in Wote will be complete. Three months, the stadium in Chuka will be complete. In three months, the stadium in Moyale will be complete. The stadium in Kamariny in West Pokot, which is historic, will be complete,” William Ruto pledged during the manifesto launch in 2013.
“In a couple of months, the stadium in Eldoret will be complete. In Nyeri, there was a challenge with the title and now the program has been rolled. Another three to four months the stadium will be complete. We have a small challenge in Mombasa because the county gov’t has issues of ownership of the land but the contracts are complete.” Ruto further stated.
However, significant progress on the promised stadiums has not been achieved after more than a decade. Despite this, Ababu Namwamba, after being appointed as Sports CS, began renovating sports facilities, with Bukhungu Stadium being the most recent.
The CS pledged to contribute Ksh2.9 billion to the conclusion of the stadium in Kakamega County on Friday, August 25.
Ruto Addresses Stadium Promise Trolls