Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said that the Kenya
Kwanza administration has made the largest investment towards modernising
sports infrastructure and nurturing talent in the creative economy in Kenya’s
history.
Speaking in Mombasa, Kindiki said that no previous
government had done as much to improve sports facilities and support talent
development.
He noted that these improvements is what has propelled the
country to now hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The DP pointed out that Kenya last hosted a major
international football tournament nearly four decades ago, during the 1987 All
Africa Games.
“Since Kenya came into being, no administration has invested in the modernisation of sports infrastructure and development of talent through sports more than the current administration. The last time Kenya hosted a serious international soccer tournament event was in 1987, nearly 40 years ago, the All Africa Games,” Kindiki said.
“But because President William Ruto has invested in modernising sports stadia in Nairobi and other counties across Kenya, it is now possible to have sports of international standards taking place in our country."
He credited President Ruto’s government for upgrading
stadiums in Nairobi and other counties, making it possible for the country to
host events of international standards.
The two major stadia that have served the Country, Nyayo and
Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, were built approximately four
decades ago, in 1984 and 1987, respectively.
Today, Nyayo and Kasarani have been upgraded to
international standards, while the magnificent 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium
will be ready by February next year. Bukhungu Stadium is now at the same level.
Kindiki noted that CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 are just the
beginning of an exciting future ahead for international sports events in the
country.
The Deputy President added that talent academies have
already been established in all counties, with plans underway to expand them
to the constituency level, once done with counties.
“So that every part of the country can have modern
facilities to nurture talents,” he explained.
The DP emphasised that Kenya’s youth should be seen as a
national asset, not a burden.
“Youths are our national treasure. Many people think youths are
a burden; they are not. Let’s take care of them, create jobs for them and
opportunities to develop their talents,” he said in Kwale.
Kindiki added that the government’s approach to tackling
unemployment focuses on creating jobs and opening up opportunities for young
people with talent.
“The solution is not
complaining about how many jobless young people we have; the solution is to
look for jobs for them and also create opportunities for those who are talented
to nurture them,” he said.
The DP was in Kwale and Mombasa counties for economic empowerment
drives for youths, women and small businesses.
