- Murkomen said the government should, however, own two to three stadiums for state functions.
- His sentiment was received with mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans on social media.
Image: KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN/X
Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said that the government should not be owning stadiums.
He said that the stadiums in the country should be owned by private investors.
The move, he said, will help the country unlock its potential in the sports sector.
In a statement on Wednesday, Murkomen said the government should, however, own two to three stadiums for state functions.
"Governments shouldn’t be owning stadia if we properly unlock the potential that’s in the sports sector. It’s a big shame that over 60 years since independence, none of our football clubs own a stadium. The National Government should only own two or three facilities for state functions the rest should be owned and run by the private sector," he said on X.
Murkomen was replying to an X user who was suggesting that instead of privatising the stadiums, the government should instead lease them.
"Dear Kipchumba Murkomen. Be informed that in Europe, eg the UK, football clubs own stadiums. Those that don’t own, lease stadia from private owners. Wembley Stadium is owned by the British government and has never been privatised," the X user posed.
Murkomen, however, said that as the Sports CS, he will work to ensure he brings money into the ministry.
"My job is to create a conducive environment for investors to put their money into sports, to create wealth, grow the economy, and employ our youth," he added.
His sentiment was received with mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans on social media.
Others supported his proposal, while others dismissed it, saying that the government should first improve the existing stadia.
Another X user proposed that instead of privatising the existing stadiums, the private investors should be given land to construct new ones.
"Give the private sector land; they construct new stadia! Let the existing ones remain public property," the user said.
The CS answered by saying that the existing stadiums at the moment have not reached a state to attract private investors.
He, however, pledged to ensure that the Sports Ministry becomes a productive sector.
"If we get someone to lease on a PPP arrangement, the better. Unfortunately, our sports sector hasn’t yet reached a state where it can inspire an investor to lease a stadium. We are still far away but we can do something to ensure sports becomes a lucrative venture in Kenya," Murkomen said.
Some of the stadiums in Kenya include Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Afraha Stadium in Nakuru and Bukhungu Stadium, among many others.