Ruring’u Stadium delayed again

The deadline for the completion of phase one of Ruring’u Stadium in Nyeri has again been pushed from September 30 to December.

The Presidential Delivery Unit tweeted the changes after they visited the stadium a week ago.

The team was in the region to inspect progress of Wang’uru in Kirinyaga County, Ruring’u, and other sports projects.

“The 20,000-seater facility will be the biggest stadium in Mt Kenya region featuring modern changing room, sports shop, a restaurant, and VIP terrace. The stadium is expected to be complete by December2020,” the tweet read.

Work resumed at the facility two months ago after the government injected money in the project which was supposed to be completed within 100 days -- by the end of next month.

The government is upgrading the stadium to international standards at a cost of Sh450 million.

The first phase was launched in 2017 by President Uhuru Kenyatta but the project later stalled due to lack of funds.

Ruring’u Stadium will be the biggest sporting facility in the Mount Kenya region, it will mainly be used  for football and athletics due to the high altitude in the region.

There have been blame games, political theatrics and empty promises  over the delayed project.

The September 30 deadline was set after a stormy meeting at the stadium on June 30 attended by Sports Kenya officials, Nyeri County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, area MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, county government officials and the contractor. Sports Kenya official Mwangi Muthee urged all the stakeholders to work together.

“The government has released money, it is upon the contractor, the consultants and our office to open up  communication channels and  speed up the stadium,”  Muthee said.

Kibaara said at the meeting that he does not want excuses.

“I don’t want to entertain any more excuses about this project. If there is any impediment, let all stakeholders be told,”  he said.

On Sunday, Ngunjiri said he is not happy with the pace of the project.“The project is behind schedule. This is the reason the Sports Principal Secretary and other government officials visited the site last week,” said Ngunjiri.

But County Executive Committee member for Sports Margaret Macharia said she is satisfied with the progress. “The contractor has to do what is possible and practical for now,”  said Macharia.

When Nation Sport visited the site, workers were preparing to work on the pitch. Work was in progress on the VIP pavilion. According to the schedule at the site office, the final layer of the athletic tracks is to be laid this week.

Later this month, a ritual will be performed as a Mugumo tree that was planted by former President Daniel arap Moi will be uprooted to pave the way for the stadium plan. The tree was planted in 1978.