Amidst allegations of misappropriation of funds, lavish expenditures on first-class flights for girlfriends while athletes faced humiliation, and the launch of a seemingly relentless Talanta Hela App, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba remains undeterred in his role.
The CS, who on Wednesday, cleared his name in Parliament and insisted that he was not at fault despite being criticised by the lawmakers, embarked on a project that would secure his legacy.
Namwamba met Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa on Friday, August 25, and pledged to inject Ksh2.9 billion towards the completion of Bukhungu Stadium, which recently hosted Kenya Secondary Schools’ Sports competition.
During the meeting, a comprehensive implementation plan was agreed upon, with the CS assuring Fernades, elected under the Orange Democratic Movement party, of unwavering support from the National Government to complete the construction of the stadium.
In the financial year 2022/23, Kakamega County allocated Ksh570 million for Bukhungu Stadium upgrades, and thus, Namwamba's new Ksh2 billion pledge will ensure it achieves its full potential.
"The Bukhungu Stadium played host to the recent Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSA) finals, drawing one of the largest attendance for the games, with the Ministry facilitating the live broadcast of the event through KBC TV and other online streaming platforms," a statement by the Ministry read in part.
As one of the inherited challenges in the docket, improving the conditions of stadiums is among the promises the CS has made.
The Cabinet secretary was, on Wednesday, forced to apologize to Parliament or resign based on issues raised by the house. However, he staunchly defended his position, asserting full control over the ministry.
Ababu underscored that the Sports docket operated collaboratively with sports federations, devoid of spectators as alleged.
This was after Gladys Shollei, Uasin Gishu woman representative and National Deputy Speaker, alleged that athletes were wearing fake Adidas kits contrary to Ababu's remarks that Kenya contracted Nike rather than its rival multinational sports giant.
Shollei thus urged the CS to contact both companies to authenticate the kits and the contract signed with Kenya, further asking him to deliver their responses via the office of the leader of the majority, Kimani Ichung'wah.
The CS obliged and emphasised his commitment to enhancing the Sports Ministry, ensuring athletes' well-being.
In July 2023, the CS pledged to continue renovating various stadiums across the country regardless of whether or not Kenya wins the bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Namwamba reiterated that world-class sporting facilities are crucial for a Kenya with a rich sporting heritage.
“We are doing this because Kenya needs international-level sporting facilities. We are a sporting nation, and you cannot be a proud country with such a sporting degree without the infrastructure to back that. So with or without the Afcon, we are focused on our sports infrastructural development programme,” the CS assured.
President William Ruto, a few months earlier, promised to also improve the state of stadiums in the country after years of empty promises by past regimes.
The recently renovated Bukhungu Stadium stands as one of the flagship projects, reaffirming Ruto and Ababu's pledges. The facility is the revered home ground of the Kakamega Homeboyz Football Club and also hosts the AFC Leopards Football Club.
Every year, Cleophas Malala, former Kakamega Senator and the secretary general of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, holds his much-hyped Cleo Malala Cup at the stadium, with football teams competing for over Ksh6 million cash in rewards.
