Yesterday County residents witnessed a historic moment when the Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Culture Amb. Amina Mohammed in the company of Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o presided over the ground breaking event of a 20,000-seater international Stadium and the renaming of the Jomo Kenyatta sports ground to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Recreational Sports Center.
This is to pay tribute to the two most important figures in the history of this nation – the Nations first President and vice president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
The renaming besides being the President’s and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wish to honour the duo, is also a long time dream of the people of the region to see an iconic commemorative monument in honour of the doyen of the region’s politics in the City in recognition of the significant contributions he made towards the region’s political development as well as the development of Kisumu City.
The International Sports Complex at the iconic Agricultural Society of Kenya show ground at Mamboleo is to be established at a cost of three hundred and fifty million.
During the ceremony, CS Amb. Amina Mohammed said she was back in the County to fulfill the promise of H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta to build an international stadium that will serve the Lake Region Economic Bloc.
The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged the County’s investment and potentiality in sporting activities despite the lack of sporting facilities.
She further commended the efforts of clubs such as Kisumu all Stars who made it to the premier league within six months, Kisumu Lakers, Rugby Union and Tykwondo under 16 who have shown a tremendous performance nationally and Internationally.
The project will not only scale up sporting activities in the region but also open up economic potential of the area. The CS thanked the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga for his support and called for full support from the county as the project takes off.
On the other hand, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga recreational Sports Center is also set for upgrade to a tune of 100million shillings funded by the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) from World Bank.
The component of the upgrade will include an ultramodern football pitch, refurbishment of od Mikayi, Canopy shades, open event garden, monument of heroes, children’s park, tennis court,
Hockey pitch, fountain and restaurants among others
The County commissioner, Madam Susan Waweru asked the CS Amb. Amina to also visit the sub counties such as Muhoroni whose facilities are currently dilapidated and requires her support. She also called on the CS to think of the potential sporting activities within the lake
The Governor thanked the national government for their support and called on the residents to provide a conducive environment for development by focusing on the long-term vision.
Also present were: Deputy governor Dr Mathew Owili, County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro, A host of CECs, MCAs among other top county Officials
CS for Sports Amb. Amina Mohammed and Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o after unveiling the plaque at the ASK show ground during the ground breaking of the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium
CS Amb. Amina Mohamed during the ground breaking ceremony
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o during the ground breaking ceremony
CS Amb. Amina Mohammed and Kisumu Governor professor Nyong’o unveiling the plaque renaming the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga recreational sports center
Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o in the company of CS Amina Mohammed holding the plan of the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium