Preparations for the 9th edition of the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) games in Kisumu have been finalised.
Over 8,000 participants from the 47 counties are expected in the lake side city over the weekend for the event which kicks off on Monday.
Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said all the 13 venues for the games have been prepared adding that measures have been put in place to ensure that the event is held successfully.
The venues which include Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Moi Stadium, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Center, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kisumu Boys, Lions High School and Kasagam Secondary School will host the key events.
Other venues are Kisumu Day Secondary Schools, Aga Khan Hall, Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall, the Rotary Training Center, Cosmopolitan Club and Nyanza Golf Club.
Addressing the media in his office on Thursday, Prof. Nyong’o said the games will be officially opened by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium.
Adequate security measures, he said, have been put in place to ensure that the visitors and dignitaries are safe.
“I have this morning held a meeting with the Regional Commissioner and County Commissioner and they have assured me security arrangements are complete. We want to assure the over 8, 000 visitors that they will be safe,” he said.
Various hotels and accommodation venues, he added, have been booked for the visitors ahead of the event to ensure seamless flow to the venues.
Teams from the 47 counties will compete in 21 disciplines with winners booking a ticket to represent the country at the East Africa Local Authorities and Cultural Association (EALASCA) games at a venue to be determined by the Council of Governors.
Nyong’o said the games play an important role in the calendar of the devolved units lauding KICOSCA national Executive Committee for accepting Kisumu’s bid to host the event.
The event, he added, was set to boost the economy of Kisumu asking local traders and businessmen to seize the moment and offer cutting edge goods and services to the visitors.
KICOSCA was founded in 2013 when devolution took effect replacing the old Kenya Inter-Municipalities Sports and Cultural Association.
The purpose of the games is to give an opportunity to employees from the 47 counties to exhibit their sporting talents and interact to learn each other’s cultural orientations.
Kisumu is the 9th county to host the event after Nairobi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisii, Kericho and Embu.
By Adoyo Immaculate and Faith Atieno
