Meru earmarks Sh200m for Kinoru Stadium upgrade

Meru County government will spent some Sh200 million to renovate Kinoru Stadium as the area bids to become home of sports.

The repair works will be carried out in two phases with the first stage expected to consume Sh167 million.

A police station is among the focus of the project as the government seeks to enhance security during matches.

Governor Peter Munya who spoke ahead of Friday’s ground breaking ceremony said the money will be raised internally by the county government and the repairs will take six months.

“The rehabilitation will be major as we seek to meet the standards so that we can host international events in future,” Munya said.

“Successful hosting of the Meru Sevens recently gave us the push to give the facility the facelift as we bid to host more events.”

PACKED HOTEL ROOMS

Munya said his government considers sports as a major business for locals due to high number of people attend matches at the stadium, hence the heavy investment.

“People spend in our hotels when teams come to Kinoru stadium. Food suppliers will also get business. When Gor Mahia came to play Tusker, all hotel rooms were full. We want to sustain this.”

This will be welcome news for premier league side Tusker who have since made Kinoru Stadium their home ground. Mid last month, AFC Leopards threatened to boycott their Top Eight final against Tusker complaining of a poor playing surface at the stadium. Gor Mahia had earlier raised similar concerns.

Acting Gender, Culture, Sports and Social Services secretary Mary Mwiti shared similar sentiments.

“Tusker’s switch of its home ground to Meru and establishment of the Meru Youth Talent Academy last September shows that the county is serious about promoting sports,” Mwiti said.

All Tusker matches are normally preceded by competitions involving local teams as a way of scouting for talent and Tusker has promised to be signing some of the local talents.