A retired chief from Baringo has embarked on a 354km walk to Nairobi to raise funds for the completion of Kabarnet stadium.
Joseph Malatit Chebii, 61, begun the solitary 14-day trek at 6am at his home in Eron, Salawa village, Baringo Central.
While addressing the press on Thursday, August 26, Malatit said it pained him to watch youth from the area seek training ground in other areas in the country when Baringo stadium was incomplete.
“It’s so shameful seeing youth going to train in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties when we can have our own facilities,” the chief told journalists.
After the 3544km walk, Malitit hopes to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa and Kenya Olympic Committee president Paul Tergat, who is a resident of Baringo.
Malatit who served residents of Kimoso sublocation assistant chief for 27 years said he embarked on the tiresome mission because of the love he holds for his home and people.
“This has nothing to do with physical exercise,” he said. “It’s purely a patriotic journey to reclaim the glory of my motherland.”
To fund his journey, the chief said he has Ksh30,000 adding that he won’t mind food and any other assistance from well wishers while on the long trek to Nairobi.
He said the stadium was commissioned by former Governor Benjamin Cheboi seven years ago in 2014.
“I guess it’s stalled for lack of funds,” Malatit said adding that he doesn’t blame anyone for the stadium’s state.
However, Bomet governor Stanley Kiptis justified the staled projects citing ownership documentation issues. He said people have claimed ownership of the grounds on which the stadium sits.
“I will carry on unless the leaders I mentioned or someone else hears my appeal and acts,” Malatit said.
