With less than two months left before Mashujaa day slated to take place in Kakamega’s Bukhungu stadium, it is not yet clear if the main stand roof canopy will be replaced to ensure comfort in case of adverse weather. The roof has been set up poorly, exposing spectators to rain or direct sunlight.
The issue was first exposed when a sudden downpour left ODM leader Raila Odinga and his host, governor Wycliffe Oparanya rained on as they watched an inaugural match of the CECAFA senior challenge cup tournament pitting Kenya’s Harambee stars and Uganda Cranes. The two dignitaries had to seek shelter as the match went on.
Two Kakamega county government officers have given conflicting accounts on whether the main stand roof canopy will be replaced before the upcoming national day celebrations.
The county secretary Jacinta Odhiambo and the social services and sports CEC Robert Makhanu gave contradictory explanations when asked about the county government plan to guarantee protection to national and foreign government dignitaries in case of adverse weather conditions on October 20th.
Odhiambo said a new roof canopy will be in place before September 30th but Makhanu who is directly involved with the stadium’s management claimed that was not on the cards at the moment, insisting there was no budget for the same.
The county secretary said a joint planning committee comprising national and county government officers were already working on the same. She did not, however, disclose the cost involved but admitted a replacement was inevitable.
The county governments reportedly spend Kshs 389 million on this first phase of the project. “What I know is that internal and external engineers are redesigning the roof. This one does not protect anyone from direct sunlight and rainfall….but that will take time. Probably a replacement will be set up during the project’s second phase,” Makhanu said.
The stadium’s Main stand, limited water storage tank and sanitation facilities remain a major cause for concern for the Mashujaa day national celebrations.
