COUNTY COMMENCES REHABILITATION OF SPORTS FACILITIES

The Ministry of Social Services, Youth, Women Empowerment, Sports and Culture has begun upgrading sports grounds across Kakamega County. Chief Officer for Public Works Eng. Patrick Likavo Thursday led a team from the County Headquarters on an official handover exercise of three sports grounds in Shinyalu and Mumias East Sub-Counties to contractors for commencement of the upgrade works.

Speaking at Solyo Grounds in Shinyalu Sub-County, Eng. Likavo said a technical team has been constituted to work closely with the contractors so as to achieve the Government objective of modern regional stadia within the required timelines. This, he added, is a realization of the Governor H.E. Hon. Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya’s promise to Kakamega youths during his 2017 Gubernatorial campaigns of constructing and improving sports facilities in the County for identification and development of sports talent.

“The contractors will be required to adhere to the architectural design and follow the rules and regulations of the contract; we need maximum cooperation so that we can deliver the projects within the stipulated timeframe,” he said and directed Sub-County Administrators to form a Project Management Committees to oversee implementation.

County Director of Sports Mr. James Muchiri said the County Government of Kakamega through the Department of Sports will be upgrading the fields in all Sub-Counties in order to promote sporting activities in the Country.

“This exercise will see to it that we have good sporting grounds which will in turn provide an opportunity for the youth to grow their talents,” he said.

Phase One targets construction and improvement of five grounds; Solyo and Mukumu Girls High School grounds in Shinyalu Sub-County, Bumwende grounds in Mumias East whose works begun officially on Thursday. Others are Matete in Lugari Sub-County and Emanani in Matungu. The two will be handed over this Friday.

Bukhungu Stadium Manager Mr. Edward Odera who is also in charge of the program said once upgraded, the facilities will benefit learning institutions as well as neighboring communities and urged residents to cooperate with the contractors for excellent results and timely completion of the projects.

The works which begin immediately are set to be completed in 6 months. The scope of the work to be undertaken by the contractors include; Land scaping and levelling, erection of pavilion stands, goal posts, track beacons and marking of the fields.

In attendance were MCAs: Hon. John Musilwa (Isukha Central) and Hon. Eli keya (Lusheya-Lubinu) both who thanked the County Government of Kakamega for initiating the projects and urged the contractors to engage the locals in some of the casual activities.

Also present were Sub-County Administrators: Mr. Vitalis Masakhwe (Shinyalu), Mr. Joseph Andeka (Mumias East), Wards and Community Area Administrators, Schools representatives, sportsmen among other stakeholders.