Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has faulted Members of the County Assembly for last-minute changes in plans to construct the county's main stadium.
The National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) politician opposed the plans to relocate the stadium from the original location to the Busia Agricultural Training Center grounds.
In a letter directed to the County Youth, Sports, and Gender Chief Officer Saviour Panyako, Omtatah, on Monday, criticized the county for failing to conduct adequate public participation before ratifying the changes.
According to the lawmaker, the new ground set to host the stadium had initially been allocated for the establishment of an agricultural university.
The legislator also disclosed that the Ksh80 million to Ksh100 million allocated for the reconstruction of the stadium was insufficient, and disbursement of more funds would cripple the county, which is already grappling with financial constraints.
“First Supplementary Budget is totally inadequate for such a mega project. It might not even be enough to do the architectural and engineering designs for the said ultra-modern stadium if, indeed, the County Executive really intends to build one,” Omtatah stated.
“Given the budget constraints, which the Busia County Executive and the country at large have currently, there is no money running into billions of shillings for the design and construction of such an ambitious stadium,” he added.
The vocal senator also faulted the county government for failing to inform the board in charge of the Agricultural Training Center of the new project.
“It is unacceptable that the Board has never been consulted on the proposal yet it, and not the Governor, is the custodian of the ATC's assets. Under the law, absolutely nothing can be done, including land use, without the involvement and approval of the Board,” read the senator’s statement.
Omtatah was responding to an initial letter by Saviour Panyako, which called for public participation before the county government relocates the stadium venue.
"We have scheduled a public meeting on 17th October 2023 at ATC Grounds from 8.00 a.m. to Noon. During this meeting, we will discuss the proposed relocation in detail, addressing concerns," the letter read in part.
According to the letter, the initial location of the stadium was small, thus hindering its expansion, a factor that triggered the county government to seek a wider venue for the reconstruction of the stadium.
"We believe that the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) presents an excellent place for this relocation. The ATC offers a serene setting, making it an ideal location for our stadium," the letter further stated.
