Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago in Eldoret after a leaders meetingKipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is 78 per cent complete and is expected to be ready to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20, which will be presided over by President William Ruto.
Contractors are installing a Chinese-made roof on the main pavilion as work gathers pace ahead of the national celebrations, with the stadium targeted to reach 85 per cent completion next week.
The venue is expected to be handed over to the Mashujaa Day organising committee by October 16 to allow preparations for the national event.
A team from the President’s office, led by Vesca Kangogo and Sports Kenya director general Timothy Kilimo, visited the stadium to assess progress as contractors race against time to meet the deadline.
Kilimo said more than 659 workers were on site to accelerate construction and ensure the main pavilion and seating areas were ready before the celebrations.
“We have more than 659 workers on site to ensure the stadium is almost complete in good time. We will have the main pavilion done along with the seating areas for visitors,” he said.
Kilimo said work would be temporarily suspended on October 16 to allow the venue to host Mashujaa Day activities before contractors resumed construction after October 20.
The stadium is expected to be fully completed in December, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) games.
Kilimo said work was also ongoing at Kipchoge Stadium in Kapsabet and Kamaring Stadium in Iten, where some Mashujaa Day activities will be held.
Regional leaders have welcomed Ruto’s planned visit, pledging their support for the celebrations.
Senator Jackson Mandago said leaders were mobilising to ensure the region successfully hosted the President and other invited guests.
“We have put in all our support and mobilisation to ensure we host a successful Mashujaa Day and host the President and other guests to our region,” he said.
Mandago said the President’s tour would also provide an opportunity to showcase development projects being implemented in the region, including initiatives promised to residents.
Kangogo said the tour would highlight the government’s development record and efforts to complete projects, including those that had stalled under previous administrations.
The celebrations will be co-hosted by Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The preparations come as State House outlines a 10-day tour of North Rift counties by Ruto, which began in Trans Nzoia.
The President’s visit to Trans Nzoia comes amid strained relations between the national government and Governor George Natembeya.
Kenya Kwanza leaders, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, have accused Natembeya of obstructing Ruto’s development tour of the region.
Natembeya has denied having the power to block the President from visiting the county, insisting Ruto is free to undertake any activities in the region.
The governor has also accused the President of sidelining Trans Nzoia in development programmes.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The race to prepare Kipchoge Keino Stadium for Mashujaa Day reflects the pressure on the government to deliver major infrastructure projects against tight deadlines. With the facility 78 per cent complete, contractors must balance preparations for the October 20 celebrations with the December completion target ahead of Afcon. The event also offers President William Ruto an opportunity to showcase his development record during a politically significant North Rift tour.
