@Alicewangechi
Murang’a MCAs are set to table a sports bill that will compel the county government to fund sporting activities.
Murang’a Sports bill 2024 that is set to be tabled in the assembly next week will make it possible for the devolved unit to support local youths in engaging in sports as a way of growing their talents and keeping them busy.
The chairperson of Youth, Sports, Gender and Culture committee in the county assembly Sharlene Wambui said currently, sporting activities are being supported by MPs through NGCDF and other well wishers.
The lack of a legal framework, she added, made it impossible for the county government to get involved, disadvantaging local youths.
“Once we table this bill and am very confident that the assembly will adopt it, the county government will be able to facilitate our youths to engage in sports,” she said.
Wambui underscored the role played by sports in keeping youths away from harmful tendencies such as drugs and alcohol consumption, and steering their lives in the right direction.
She spoke at General Kago stadium in Kangema town during Kangema sports day that she had helped organize with the support of first daughter Charlene Ruto together with other organisations.
The sports day saw students from local learning institutions such as Michuki Technical Training Institute and Murang’a Technical Training Institute among others participate in football and volleyball matches.
“As the chairperson of the youth committee, I made it my responsibility to source for funds to engage the youths and I have received a lot of support from Charlene Ruto,” she said.
“This is a talent search programme that I plan to implement in all sub counties to help hone their skills while keeping them occupied during weekends,” she said, adding that the programme will benefit thousands of local youths.
She confirmed that winners and first runners’ up will receive trophies and medals, and that the teams will be supported with sports kits.
Such programmes, she said, will complement the Murang’a Youth Service programme under which the county government provides casual jobs to local youths who are engaged to clean local towns.
Every batch of beneficiaries under the programme receive a daily stipend of Sh400 and is engaged for three months before being enrolled in various Technical, Vocational Education and Training Colleges (Tvets) for free technical courses after which they will each receive Sh15,000 to fund their start-ups.
Ruto on her part lauded local youths for coming out in large numbers to participate in the sports, emphasizing her commitment to empower youths in the country.
“I am happy to be here and to witness the various talents from local youths. My call is to all young people to engage in activities that are empowering and shun harmful ones,” she said.
Ruto, a blood donation champion, also led the youths to donate blood during the event in a drive led by the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service (TBTTS).
Shehas been championing blood donation drives in universities, schools and other learning institutions to boost blood donation in the country.
Anne Mbogo, Michuki Technical Training Institute Chief Principal lauded the pair for organizing the sports saying they foster integration among learners from various communities.
“Such activities create an opportunity for learners to come together. Sports can help save the future generation from the challenge of drugs and alcoholism”.
Ends
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!