Kericho: Kericho County is set to benefit from a major infrastructure revolution following a government assessment tour of key sports facilities in the South Rift region ahead of planned modernization and expansion works aimed at nurturing talent and stimulating economic growth through sports. The inspection exercise brought together Principal Secretary (PS) for Sports, Elijah Mwangi; Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru; and Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator, Aaron Cheruiyot, who toured Kiprugut Chumo Stadium in Kericho, Kapkatet Stadium, and proposed sports projects in Bomet County to assess the status of the facilities and evaluate the scope of the planned upgrades.
According to Kenya News Agency, the leaders said the tour was part of a national government programme aimed at transforming sports infrastructure nationwide, in line with President William Ruto’s agenda of supporting youth talent development, job creation, and economic empowerment through sports. During the visit to Kericho, the delegation inspected the current condition of Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, where the government is planning a major redesign and rehabilitation programme expected to upgrade the facility into a modern sports complex capable of hosting athletics and football competitions at national standards.
Speaking during the tour, Principal Secretary for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, said the government had intensified efforts to improve sporting facilities across the country as part of a wider strategy to position sports as a key economic sector and a sustainable career path for young people. ‘We are here courtesy of the president, Dr. William Ruto. We have gone around this area; we were at Bomet and Kapkatet, and now we are here at Kericho. Our sole responsibility is to ensure that the projects directed by the president are implemented,’ he said.
Mwangi noted that the country continued to produce exceptional talent in athletics, football, volleyball, and other disciplines, adding that investment in infrastructure was necessary to support athletes and unlock the economic potential of sports. ‘Sports is a career. Sports create jobs, and sports create the economy. Young men and women with talent must get space to develop and exercise their abilities, and that is why the government is committed to improving sporting infrastructure,’ he said.
The Sports Principal Secretary disclosed that discussions had already been held with local leaders regarding redesign plans for Kapkatet Stadium after challenges emerged concerning the size of the available land. He explained that the government was considering a revised architectural approach that would allow construction of a ten-thousand-seater facility within the available space through vertical terrace arrangements. ‘We have agreed with the local leadership that the same land can still accommodate a ten-thousand-seater stadium through a different design where structures go upwards. We shall work together with the Ministry of Defence on the designs and supervision,’ he stated.
Mwangi added that once the redesign process is finalized and costing completed, the government would move to the implementation phase under joint supervision involving the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Defence. The PS Defence said the Ministry of Defence had been tasked with supervising several national infrastructure projects, including stadium developments in different counties, to ensure efficiency, quality standards, and timely delivery once construction begins.
He said the visit to Kericho was primarily meant to assess the current status of Kiprugut Chumo Stadium and pave the way for redesign plans that will transform the facility into a modern sporting arena. ‘We are here to review what is happening at Kiprugut Chumo Stadium. We are going to redesign the stadium, remove the current terraces and put up new terraces, improve the field, and develop a standard running track,’ he said.
Dr. Mariru said the Defence Ministry would work closely with the Ministry of Sports in undertaking technical planning and supervision of the proposed upgrades once designs are completed. He further noted that the Kenya Defence Forces had expanded their support role in national development through supervision of key public infrastructure projects across the country. ‘The Kenya Defence Forces have a constitutional responsibility to support civil authorities, and that is what we are doing by supervising projects, including hospitals, universities, water projects, and stadiums,’ he said.
The Defence PS pointed out that the government was keen on ensuring that all planned sports projects meet the required standards and are implemented prudently for the benefit of local communities and the country at large. Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator, Aaron Cheruiyot welcomed the planned upgrades, saying the South Rift region had for many years produced internationally acclaimed athletes despite lacking modern training and competition facilities.
‘This is the bedrock of sports. We have produced exceptional talent that has gone on to conquer the world. It is unfortunate that up to today we do not have the level of stadiums needed for a region that produces the number of athletes we produce,’ he said. Cheruiyot said improved sporting infrastructure would play a critical role in supporting young athletes, enhancing local competitions and opening up new economic opportunities linked to sports tourism and related business activities.
He expressed optimism that the planned projects would help transform the region into a modern sports hub capable of hosting major national and regional competitions while inspiring more young people to pursue careers in sports. The proposed upgrades are part of an ongoing nationwide sports infrastructure expansion program under which the government plans to modernize stadiums and sports facilities across various counties as part of efforts to strengthen talent development and expand the country’s sports economy.
Source: Kenya News Agency
