Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has said that the Government has ordered for an audit of all the recently constructed stadiums across the country to establish if the resources invested in the sporting facilities were well utilized.
The CS who spoke after touring Njukiri agricultural showground in Embu County disclosed the government is set to construct a state-of-the-art stadium at the grounds in readiness to host the June 1,2023 Madaraka day celebrations.
The Cabinet Secretary said that the facility once complete will comprise state of the art sporting facilities.
“I am optimistic that we will put up a state-of-the-art stadium here with many sporting facilities,” he said.
After touring Moi Stadium, one of the recently constructed stadium in Embu during the regime of the former government, the CS regretted that the contractor delivered shoddy work and that the field does not reflect the amount that the government had appropriated to put up the stadium.
He decried the poor state of Moi Stadium that is said to have cost the taxpayer Sh180 million, saying it was laughable that there was nothing notable done on the ground.
“It is a big shame for one to claim that they spend Sh180 million to do this kind of shoddy work we are seeing here,” he said, adding that he has written a letter to the auditor general to conduct an audit on all the recently constructed stadiums across the country.
Namwamba added that once the audit is finished, a legal action will be taken against anybody who will be found culpable of misappropriating the funds meant for the construction of the stadiums.
He added that he has given the auditor general 60-days to conduct an audit on all the recently constructed stadiums across the country.
While lauding the Government for considering to construct the stadium at the show ground, Governor Cecily Mbarire noted that Embu County stands to reap big from the construction of the sporting facility.
“Am glad that the government saw it fit to construct the stadium and we are very happy because we know the goodies it will come along with,” said Mbarire.
The upgrade of Moi Stadium and the construction of a stadium at Njukiri ASK Showground is set to commence in early February.
By Justus Anzaya
