Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has upbraided the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba over the delayed construction of the Kipchoge Keino stadium.
Speaking at a public gathering, Governor Bii lamented that Ababu’s promises and frequent visits to the stadium have led to zero progress in the construction.
The construction of Kipchoge Keino Stadium began in the year 2011, but its completion is still pending to date.
The governor now wants the Sports CS to fulfil his promise to haste completion of the construction of the said stadium. Bii also said that if CS Ababu does not plan to fulfil the promise, he should inform the residents who are now filled with disappointment.
“Kama hii kitu haifanyiki, utuambie haifanyiki kuliko nikuwe an matumaini yenye hakuna,” the governor said.
Showing great disappointment from the Sports CS, Governor Bii also complained about the frequent visits by Ababu, to inspect the stadium, stating that the visits have borne zero fruits.
“Recently, I was with CS Namwamba and we told him that this is not the first time he is coming to Kipchoge Keino stadium,” Bii complained.
“You came the other day and we went to view the stadium together. With the serious face you wore, I thought the work would finally be completed, but nothing happened.”
The governor claimed that Ababu’s recent visit gave them some hope that the work would be done, but again nothing happened.
Diving straight to pick the comparison card, the governor stated that ‘the Kakamega stadium is ready, Kisumu stadium and other area’s stadiums are ready, but Kipchoge Keino stadium which is in the “home of champions” does not qualify as a stadium.
In response, Ababu Namwamba said that “the length of time it has taken to get this facility to this level is absolutely criminal”.
If the Kipchoge stadium is not completed by 2027, it will have experienced 3 government regimes come and go, without completion.
Ababu’s misery
Recently the CS was also criticized for the appointment of Tala Hella (An initiative to support talented artists) council and technical committee members. The list of appointees included Daniel Dambuki, Azziad Nasenya, Catherine Kamau, and Esther Akoth among others.
However, CS Ababu later revoked the appointment of the mentioned representatives, following a court order. Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the high court had suspended the program until the case questioning its legality was ruled.
The court case had been lodged by Charles Mugane.
According to Ababu, the appointees were meant to help identify, recruit, nurture and monetize the talents in both sports and creative sectors.
