Gusii Stadium behind schedule for games

Construction works funded by Kisii County government on Gusii Stadium have fallen behind schedule at a time the facility is expected to host the sixth edition of Kenya Inter County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) Games from August 12-18.

Four years ago, Kisii County Governor James Ongwae said the stadium would be upgraded to international standards, and Sh45 million was allocated for the work.

On Friday, County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) organising committee, led by its vice-person Peter Ogola, appealed to the county government to speed up work on the facility.

“We urge the county government to speed up work on the stadium,” Ogola said in Kisii after giving Ongwae a letter confirming that the games will be held in Kisii County. Sports enthusiasts in the county have been up in arms over the county’s government failure to finish the renovations, a situation that Ongwae has blamed on ‘piece-meal release of funds by the national government.’

“It has been very difficult for us to pay contractors because of the piece-meal release of funds to the counties by the national government,” Ongwae said.

He defended his administration over what locals term as not-up-to standard stadia saying unlike other counties, Kisii County government financed the entire project with no extra funding from external sources.

Locals have been demanding for a playing area that is to-the standards of Kenyatta stadium in Machakos County, Bukhungu in Kakamega, Kipchoge Keino in Uasin Gishu, Kinoru in Meru, Bomet and Narok stadiums.
“What they do not know is that some of those counties received funding amounting to millions from the national government for the upgrade of the stadia,” said the Kisii County boss.