The government will engage the Kenya Defence Forces alongside a new contractor for the construction of the Ruring’u stadium in Nyeri county.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya, speaking while on a fact-finding tour around the stadium, said the ministry had opted for the multi-agency approach in reviving construction of the stalled stadium as a way of ensuring that the work gets done.
Mvurya also said that the government was keen on marshalling all the available skills that will ensure they are completed within the set timelines.
“As a government, we can adopt the multi-agency approach. It is not something new; we are working with the military in Kasarani, in Nyayo, in Talanta City and therefore it is part of the process of working together to ensure that we are within the timelines,” he said.
The CS also announced the construction work will resume under a new design, which will see the stadium’s capacity increase from the initial 2,000 to 15,000. The upgrade, the CS said, is expected to be complete in the next 8–12 months and will cost between Sh750-Sh800 million.
Additionally, Mvurya said that the ministry is committed to developing talents at the grassroots level by improving stadiums and other sports infrastructure.
He said that to realize this goal, his ministry has adopted a new model, which will see sporting facilities such as Ruring’u upgraded to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
“With direction from the President, we have decided to put up model stadiums across the country and the prototype design for Ruring’u stadium will be a 15,000-seater. That means that whatever design was there before will be modified so that we have quality. We are also looking at doing sports facilities that meet CAF standards so that people can play all kinds of matches,” he said.
The stadium was commissioned by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta in June 2017 and was poised to be the biggest sporting facility in the Mount Kenya region. The renovated 2,000-seat stadium was to feature a modern changing room, a sports shop, a restaurant, spectator terraces and a VIP terrace.
Among the structures that will be modified as per the new design specifications is the worn-out tartan track which will be replaced with a new one that is compatible with the mountain region.
The existing VIP lounge is also set to get a facelift where lockers, bathroom and washroom fittings will be installed before additional construction units are constructed next to the lounge.
As part of the new scope of work, the contractor also has to plant ryegrass grass on the football pitch to replace the weed that has been thriving since the contractor abandoned the site last year.
However, the CS was quick to note that none of the existing structures which have already gobbled some Sh 450 million, will be pulled down during the upgrade.
“The thing is, some work has started so we are unlocking the challenges that have been there and fitting them into the new design. We are not coming here to say that we are bringing down everything; we are modifying it so that new facilities can come up,” he said.
Accompanying the CS were the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Youth Affairs and Sports, Elijah Mwangi, acting Central Regional Commissioner, Ronald Mwiwawi, Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Duncan Mathenge, Sports Kenya Acting Director Gabriel Komora and Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces.
On his part, Dr. Kahiga welcomed the plans to expand the sporting facility.
While underscoring the economic and historic significance of the stadium, the Nyeri governor also pledged to support the national government to upgrade the stadium to international standards.
He also committed to continue supporting the government’s efforts in restoring the iconic facility to its former glory.
“Ruring’u was among the first standard stadiums to be put up in Kenya. Athletes like Kipchoge Keino have trained here before going out to win medals for Kenya. Let us not allow the glory of Ruring’u to disappear,” he said.
“As a county, we are ready to work together with the national government to ensure that the people of Nyeri enjoy what they were intended to enjoy from the completion of this stadium,” he added.
On his part, the Nyeri Town legislator promised to continue supporting both governments and ensure that the facility is complete in the next year.
Mathenge said that the completion of the stadium will go a long way in the development of local sporting talent.
The MP further noted that once completed, the stadium-which can host athletics, football, volleyball and tennis matches-will also provide a training ground for local teams in the county, most of whom depend on sponsorship to hire facilities for practice sessions.
“When the stadium is ready and available, it will eliminate the cost incurred by local teams in Division I and II in hiring grounds for practice and this is a big boost,” stated Mathenge.
By Wangari Mwangi
