STORY BY KENYA NEWS AGENCY
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed satisfaction that Kwale Stadium is almost ready to host the 2024 national Mashujaa Day fete as its construction enters the final stages.
Murkomen said as the Mashujaa Day celebrations beckons, the stadium's readiness is seen as a significant achievement in the government's broader strategy to decentralise sports infrastructure and ensure equitable access across the country.
Contractors are racing against time to complete a series of transformative projects in the coastal county such as the new multimillion-shilling stadium, new county state lodge and several affordable housing projects.
Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, with its related building and construction, will be showcased during the event providing a platform to highlight the progress and impact of the government's efforts in meeting citizens’ housing needs and stimulating economic growth.
The CS said as the country is gearing up for the 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations, the national government will ensure the new project is completed successfully days before the national celebration fete.
He said the stadium is constructed to high standards and can host national and international games and other events thus promoting the growth of sports in Kwale County and the region at large.
Murkomen thanked Kwale county leadership for cooperating with the national government to make the event a huge success.
Speaking after making an inspection tour of the 10,000-seater arena situated in Kwale town, he said the stadium is being developed to high standards and will feature a football pitch, running track, basketball court, and facilities for other ball games.
Murkomen reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the long-standing neglect of sports infrastructure in the Coast, Eastern, and North Eastern regions.
“The coastal region has a lot of potential for a wide array of sports, especially water sports but has historically been overlooked in terms of sports infrastructure and so we are taking deliberate actions to correct this through projects like Kwale Stadium and the construction of sports academies,” he said.
Murkomen said the completion of Kwale Stadium is expected to have a transformative impact on sports in the county and the surrounding region.
According to the CS, once completed, the facility will be capable of hosting both national and international events, providing a platform for nurturing local talent and expanding opportunities for athletes.
“The stadium will not only serve Kwale but will also position the coastal region as a destination for sports tourism and competitions at the highest levels," Murkomen said.
He highlighted the facility’s potential to elevate regional sports development.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the coastal county is excited to host the national event noting it portends a huge economic advantage for the region.
Achani invited residents to the upcoming national Mashujaa Day celebrations that are set to be celebrated in the area for the first time since independence in 1963.
“Once completed the stadium will enable the coastal county to have the capacity to host national events and attract all Kenyans to Kwale,” she said.
"As you are aware the theme for the 60th Mashujaa Day is Universal Health Care. We are inviting all the residents of Kwale County and the rest of the country.”
The coastal county boss said the devolved government is making strategic plans to promote the local arts, culture and tourism and position Kwale to attract more people.
She said Diani Beach, which is the main tourist attraction site in Kwale, has been voted the best beach destination in Africa for seven years consecutively by World Travel Awards.
“Marking Mashujaa Day in Kwale is one of my agendas to improve infrastructure development to attract not only national but international events as part of efforts to promote tourism and investment,” Achani said.
She said many guests will camp in the area which will increase the number of hotel bookings, reservations and businesses.
“As a county, we are very much delighted and optimistic that we will benefit significantly from this national event,” she said.
Achani said the move has enabled the achievement and completion of major projects including the completion of construction of the modern stadium, tarmacking of roads, putting up street lights along with the improvement of basic structures.
She asked businessmen in the county to take advantage of the Mashujaa celebrations to earn income as well as promote the economy of the county.