MCAs want Nakuru residents involved in Afraha Stadium renovation

Flamingo Ward Rep Eddy Kiragu speaks at the Nakuru County Assembly on November 12, 2019. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATIONMEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The report says the county government should invest in the conservation various national parks in the region.

  • The report recommended that the county government recognise local artists.

Nakuru County has been asked to undertake public participation before the refurbishment of Afraha Stadium is started.  

Culture, Sports and Community Services committee chairperson Eddy Kiragu said that it is critical for Nakuru residents and other stakeholders to be involved in the multibillion project.

 “The national government will spend billions of shillings to refurbish Afraha Stadium and it is fair to involve residents,” said Mr Kiragu.

The report was tabled in the assembly on November 13. The committee members had recently visited Nairobi County from October 21-24.

The report also recommended that the county government should engage the youth in the project which is set to begin next year.   

 “The county has thousands of jobless youths who should be given top priority when it comes to employment both as skilled and unskilled labourers,” said Mr Kiragu.

The report says the county government should invest in the conservation various national parks in the region.

 “The county should use the vibrant youth resource to plant both exotic and indigenous trees,” the report says.

It said that the county government should install good lighting and sound systems at the Nakuru Players Theatre.

During the recent successful hosting of Sarafina play at the facility, the county government hired lighting and sound systems from a private firm in Nairobi.

“Nakuru Players Theatre can become a source of employment to hundreds of talented youth. As a committee, we urge the Governor Lee Kinyanjui administration to allocate more funds to the facility,” said Mr Kiragu.

The report wants the county government to market the theatre.

“The county government should market Nakuru Players Theatre to attract sponsors and earn the county more revenue,” he added.

The report recommended that the county government recognise local artists.

“This recognition should go hand in hand with the establishment of a cultural centre in Nakuru County,” said the report.

The Chief Officer in charge of Culture, Gender and Social Services, Tume Abduba said there are plans to construct a cultural centre in Nakuru.

The report urged the department of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Gender to forge a partnership with Bomas of Kenya.

 “The county government partnership will promote local cultures as Nakuru is a cosmopolitan county,” said the report.