A former Assistant Chief who completed 354 Kilometres from Kabarnet to Nairobi, to create awareness and raise funds for the stalled Kabarnet Stadium, has returned home to a heroic reception.
Joseph Malatit from Eron village in Salawa, Baringo Central Sub-county, arrived back from the City, after presenting his written proposals to Safaricom PLC and Ministry of Sports Office in Nairobi, with the hope that they will consider his wishes of having an ultra-modern stadium completed in time, so that youth are given the platform to expose their God given talents.
Malatit, 61, while addressing journalists at the stadium grounds, stated that his move was instigated by the fact that nothing much has been going on at the stadium that was launched in 2014 by the then Governor Benjamin Cheboi, after a perimeter wall and leveling of the field was completed in 2017.
The former Administrator said he does not blame anybody for the stalling of the project, but would like to see construction works begin, within the shortest time possible.
“My intention was to reach Safaricom PLC and State House, to try and seek support and I managed only one, but I am still optimistic that President Uhuru Kenyatta, will also heed to my call of developing this Stadium to an International standard,” he said.
Malatit narrated how he managed to survive the long distance on chapati and tea in the morning, a litre of honey during lunchtime, as well as eating ugali and mursik for the 10-day journey, which he says he lost about three kilos, in order to see talents in Baringo harnessed, with the putting up of a mega sporting facility.
Nominated Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Elizabeth Kipsang, while lauding Malatit, said the old man has single handedly carried a challenge of all Baringo residents in his shoulders, thus should be emulated by other leaders.
Ms. Kipsang lamented that she has personally been seeking answers from the County Sports Department, but feedback has not been forthcoming on why the construction works were stopped.
She said that it was shaming that other counties have made huge strides in sporting facilities, yet Baringo was very much behind and yet to make a deliberate move.
“I am now calling upon the County Government through the County Executive (CEC) for Sports, to take the matter very seriously, so that construction work can resume and be completed soonest,” she said.
The nominated MCA said that with such a facility, the youth will not idle around and engage in drug abuse, since they will be busy developing and nurturing their talents.
Youth led by Baringo Central representative, Patrick Wangari, urged Governor Stanley Kiptis, to team-up with other partners, to see to it that the Stadium which stalled four years ago, receive enough funding for construction works.
David Kipyegon, Treasurer Baringo Central FKF, said it is amazing how such a person (former Chief) thought out an idea, which does not benefit him but the youth.
Athletics Kenya (AK), County Women Representative, Elizabeth Keitany, said sportsmen from the region have equally been affected, since they have been forced to seek training services in other camps.
Janet Cheburet, a resident, said that the initiative has become a lesson to other leaders, whom she expects will support the noble cause, in order for local youth to engage themselves in productive activities with good rewards.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
