The proposed Ksh340 million Moses Mudamba Mudavadi Cultural, Sports and Business Centre in Mbale town is fast turning into a bushy area 7 years after its construction was announced.
Vihiga County Government made the pledge during the twenty-fifth memorial of the former minister and Luhya leader.
The two and a half acre piece of land was expected to accommodate a three thousand-seat capacity theatre, a social hall and a sports ground. Cultural activities of the county sub-tribes were also to be held in the space.
The project was supposed to attract conferences, sportsmen and boost tourism in the Western Region.
In the 2019/2020 financial year, the county assembly approved Ksh15 million to start the construction. This was after amending the executive plan that had allocated Ksh5 million to the project.
Mudavadi’s family transferred ownership of the land in 2010 to the Mbale Municipal Council. It was then passed on to the County Government in 2013 after the new constitution was amended.
Wilber Otichilo, Governor Vihiga County, assured the county residents that his administration would ensure the completion of the projects but three years after he took over nothing is yet to happen.
Elders from the Maragoli Community have called for the centre’s construction to be prioritised through the Vihiga Cultural Society that is tasked with organising Annual Maragoli Cultural Festival.
“The centre is meant to preserve our culture. Despite budgetary allocation, the project has stalled. Our continued push for it has been in vain,” Rev Simon Muhindi, Vihiga County Council of Elders chairperson revealed.
Moses Mudavadi was a senior minister in Moi’s Government and was also the first patron of the Maragoli Cultural Festival until his death in February,1989. His son Musalia Mudavidi succeeded him as the Member of Parliament for Sabatia Constituency. He has since succeeded to be one of the most influential politicians in the country.
