•The leaders expressed their delight at the potential utility of the sports city as a boon to the county and the region.
•Mbarire noted that the stadium in particular will foreground the prospect that Embu County is one of the most attractive investment destinations in the area
Image: CYRUS OMBATI
The government will complete the construction of a new ultra-modern stadium in Embu County in a record five months in readiness for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations.
The Njukiri ground that has been hosting the annual ASK agricultural shows will be remodelled into a 20,000-seat arena at an accelerated schedule.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the facility will feature various amenities that will constitute a world-class stadium set to be delivered well in time for the ceremony in June and will form the main operation infrastructure towards the achievement of a sports city in Embu County.
“We are constructing a stadium from scratch in four and half months. The stadium will be a big milestone for Embu county in readiness for the celebrations and host to other future events,” he said during a needs assessment tour at the site.
Omollo, who chairs the National Celebrations Steering Committee, also divulged that the project will be co-funded by the two levels of government, with a technical team already working out the cost implications of the construction works.
He said the team is consulting with other stakeholders, key among them the Agricultural Society of Kenya, which has been managing the showground, with a view to unlocking any bottlenecks that may constrain the execution of the project.
“We are going to use the relationship that we have and work through the all-of-government approach so that we keep the cost at a minimum. We will work hand in hand to ensure the facility is completed in time and also address other challenges that may arise.”
He was flanked by a host of other Principal Secretaries, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and legislators from the area.
The leaders expressed their delight at the potential utility of the sports city as a boon to the county and the region.
Mbarire noted that the stadium in particular will foreground the prospect that Embu County is one of the most attractive investment destinations in the area, a feat that was envisioned through the government's policy of taking the national celebrations to the counties on a rotational basis.
During his Jamhuri Day address in December last year, President William Ruto conferred the privilege of hosting the 60th Madaraka Day upon Embu County.
The government has also adopted a focus theme strategy during national celebrations to not only highlight the milestones Kenya has made in specific sectors, but also point out the opportunities available for inclusive and sustainable development.
Further, the approach is meant to promote active ownership and sector-led action on various socio-economic issues in the country.
The theme for the June celebrations will be Universal Healthcare, a vision captured in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a key pillar in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
Other senior officials on the tour include Principal Secretaries Prof. Edward Kisiangani (Broadcasting), Patrick Mariro (Defence), Joseph Mbugua (Roads), Mohammed Dhargar (Transport), Ummy Mohammed (Culture and Heritage), Alex Wachira (Energy), John Tanui (Telecommunications, ICT and Digital Economy), Festus Ngeno (Environment), Joel Arumonyang (Public Works), Pius Metto (Director General, Sports Kenya) and Batram Muthoka (CEO, Agricultural Society of Kenya).