•The works will also include sufficient lighting because no sporting activity can take place at Bukhungu at night due to lack of lighting.
•Namwamba said the cost of the project will be released in due course because new elements that had not been captured have been identified and need to be factored into the cost.
The government has undertaken to complete Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County ahead of hosting the CHAN Championships in September.
Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, did a groundbreaking for the 10,000-capacity southern section Friday.
“We’re happy with the manner the contractor is working and we want to make a stadium of international repute. We have assured the contractor that there will be no financial hitches to ensure we fulfill our objective and quality that is expected,” Namwamba said.
The works include the total overhaul of the playing surface which has been a serious challenge, sitting areas, ablutions, media tribune, seven changing rooms for players, four changing rooms for referees and VIP changing rooms.
The works will also include sufficient lighting because no sporting activity can take place at Bukhungu at night due to lack of lighting.
Namwamba said the cost of the project will be released in due course because new elements that had not been captured have been identified and need to be factored into the cost.
“This is a big money project and transparency, accountability and value for money are not negotiable. We want every cent of taxpayers' money put to proper use and be accounted for,” he warned.
Bukhungu and Masinde Muliro stadiums are part of the venues that will host the 2027 Afcon matches to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
He said Cote d'Ivoire had set the bar high in the just concluded Afcon championships in terms of infrastructure development.
“I want to assure the world that Afcon 2027 will be on even higher standards, Cote d'Ivoire can't raise the bar and we lower it. We have every intention to surpass the standards already set,” he said.
Sports Principal Secretary, Peter Tum said sports is one area where the national and county governments share the mandate for the benefit of young people.
“We’re delighted that we finally start the journey of completing Bukhungu Stadium which has been the subject of long discussions between the two levels of government. Western region and Kakamega county in particular is a hotbed of talents. This is the place where people are incredibly passionate about sports,” he said.
The PS said the scenes of mass attendance during school ball games, Cecafa Under 18 and the Governor's Cup are proof that the people of Western Kenya love sporting activities.
“We are happy that we can make Bukhungu available for competitions like CHAN, Afcon, and other major events,” he added.
He said that the Western region will have two international stadiums after the government also took over the completion of Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County.
He said that the government will also put up a stadium in Busia County and support sporting activities in Vihiga County.
The government is keen on supporting sporting activities in Western as the cradle of talent.
Tum said the government is developing sporting facilities across the country because the Kenya Kwanza administration has identified sports as a key arena to grow the potential of the youth and contribute to economic growth.
“We are doing a stadium in Marsabit; we plan to complete a stadium in Wote, Makueni, Garissa, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kapsabet among others. the main objective is to ensure that the country is adequately served with the right level of sporting facilities,” he said.
He said the stadium will be supported by a network of grassroots level academies which will be spread across the country.
The PS said the ministry has identified areas where the academies will be established in the Western region including a school that soccer legend Joe Kadenge attended in Hamisi in Vihiga County.
The ministry intends to honour sporting heroes and heroines as it develops sporting facilities. “It is a new dawn for sports in Kenya with a government that walks the talk,” he said.