The abandoned Mamboleo Showground is set to get a major face-lift after the National Government broke grounds Wednesday ahead of construction of an Sh350 million modern stadium.
On a tour to sports facilities in the lakeside county, Sports cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohammed said the ground will be called Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium. The CS also said the construction of the stadium will take six months to complete.
In her tour in Kisumu, Mrs. Mohammed also renamed the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground located in the Central Business District to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Recreation Park. The park will also be given a facelift.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o and Ambassador Mohammed said the two facilities will be constructed in honor of Kenya’s founding fathers Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
The Mambolea Show Grounds has in the past played host to Agricultural Show of Kenya exhibitions, concerts, Touch Rugby, and various football tournament.
“This is the least we can do for these heroes. We have a directive that the project is done very quickly within six months,” said Mrs. Mohammed.
The CS Amina said the project will be overseen by Sports Kenya – a body responsible for all the stadia in the country and it will have a capacity of 30,000 people.
- Bhang Worth Ksh.4.5 Million Burnt In Isiolo
- Ousted Ruto’s Man To Unveil New Political Party
- Electronic Results Transmission Could Again Fail In 2022 Polls – IEBC
- “You’re too pretty to be single”, Is not a Compliment Guys!
“We would like to have a facility that is all-encompassing that may be developed further in the future to accommodate other disciplines such as basketball,” Amina said.
The CS added that the Sh350 million is just is the initial funds allocated for the construction of the facilities but the ministry might talk to the National Treasury to see whether they can get more funds should the one allocated ain’t enough.
Amina also lauded the talent in Kisumu county given the number of sports clubs in the region which include Kisumu All-Star, Lakeside Basketball, Kisumu RFC, and the Taekwondo under 16.
“I was happy to see the Kisumu All-Stars make it to the KPL after only six months, this is the potential we want to tap into and nurture through the improved sports facility,” said the CS.
