Jomo Kenyatta stadium to be complete by mid-May, assures Sports CS – KBC

Kisumu County, an area well known historically for producing great footballing talents will finally have something to smile about following the news of completion of Jomo Kenyatta stadium by middle of this month.

The region despite being a cornerstone of Kenyan football, has been doing poorly when it comes to having modern standardized sporting facilities, that will in turn further harness the growth of the sports in the Country.

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Dr Amina Mohamed who has stepped up stadia completion surveillance countrywide; revealed that the Kshs 415m facility will be ready in not too long, with its handover set for May 23.

“Inspected the progress of works at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu. The contractor assured that the Stadium will be completed by 15th May 2021 and ready for handover on 23rd May 2021.  We have stepped up stadia completion surveillance countrywide” she said.

When complete, the stadium will have an athletics running track, football and rugby pitch, conference facilities, VIP pavilion and 10 stands that can hold up to 20,000 fans.

Kisumu Clubs taking part in the Premier League and Super League are using the Moi Stadium which is in a very deplorable state.

The stadium has been the home for traders who have been camping outside the stadium for the past year since the coronavirus pandemic struck, downgrading the stadium hygienically.

The stadium was last year renamed from Kisumu ASK Mamboleo Ground to Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, in a move seen to be aimed at making it attractive to meet the required standards of hosting domestic and international matches.

Earlier this year, during his visit of the lake region, President Uhuru Kenyatta, reminded the contractor in charge of construction of stadium, Cornel Osano of Chaju Builders Limited, to meet the April 2021 deadline.

“You assured me the last time we were here that works will be completed by April. Is that so, let that be done,” Mr Kenyatta told the contractor, moments after his 20 minutes’ tour of the facility and being briefed on the progress.

Amina’s visit to the facility comes a week after Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, who led a delegation to visit the venue where the event will be held, noted that preparations for celebrations in Kisumu are in top gear a head of Mashujaa day celebrations set to be held at the same venue.

Nyanza region boasts of producing great names in football ranging from legendary John “Bob” Ogolla,Alan Thigo to the current generation of the retired Harambee Stars talisman Dennis Oliech,Al-Duhail SC forward Micheal Olunga among others.