By Yoga David
Photos by Adams Claine
A team from the Ministry of Sports, State Department of Sports, Creative Economy and Youth Affairs today visited Kisumu to assess the current state of Moi stadium ahead of a planned major upgrade.
The delegation led by Eng. John Ruga was received by Kisumu County Secretary Hesbon Hongo who represented Governor Anyang Nyong’o alongside County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs, Beatrice Odongo.
The team paid a courtesy call to the County Secretary before proceeding to the stadium for a joint technical assessment with county officials.
Speaking at Moi Stadium, Ms Odongo said the visit was a follow up to a directive by President William Ruto after the recent Kisumu delegation’s visit to State House where the President committed to supporting the redevelopment of Moi stadium at a cost of Ksh 800 million.
“We are privileged to have a technical team from the Ministry of Sports who have come to assess the ground and to advise on what best could be good for Kisumu County and for this facility,” said Odongo.
“We walked around with the team, and we look forward to having the facility being launched soon and work to start going on as soon as possible.” she added
Mr Hongo also reiterated the commitment to transforming Moi Stadium into an international grade facility.
“We recently visited the State House, and the President made a commitment to develop the stadium into an international stadium. We are here on behalf of Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o to show that the process is moving” Hongo said.
While on the visit some challenges identified in the preliminary assessment, Hongo confirmed that land availability had been a major concern but was now resolved.
“We had surveyors taking measurements and the engineers confirmed that the land is more than enough. The only thing remaining is the orientation of the stadium which will now be left to the engineers” Hongo said.
Looking ahead, CECM Odongo said the stadium is expected to be completed soon so that the facility can be used to grow talent in Kisumu and beyond.
“For growing talent within the county, I think this will be one of the best facilities that will not only be used within Kisumu but in western region and even East Africa” Odongo said.
The technical teams from both departments are now working on a design proposal after which groundbreaking is expected.
Once completed, Moi Stadium is projected to host both local and international sporting events, contributing to youth empowerment and economic activity in the region.
