Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja with DG Muchiri Njoroge, Sports CEC Rosemary Kariuki and Sports Chief Officer Oscah Igaida uring the official launch of the Uhuru Sports Complex at Uhuru Estate in Kariobangi South Ward
Nairobi: Saturday 23rd March, 2023- Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja today presided over the official launch of the ultra modern Uhuru Sports Complex at Uhuru Estate in Kariobangi South Ward.
Accompanied by Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, area Member of the County Assembly Robert “Mr.Good” Mbatia, the Nairobi County Chief Officer for Sports Oscar Igaida and a battery of MCAs from various wards in Narobi, Governor Sakaja said that the Ultra Modern sports complex will be instrumental in developing talent in the county, especially in Eastlands region and that the county government will ensure the facility is well maintained to add value to the community.
Speaking, Sakaja said; “We have a deliberate intention to ensure that this sports facility is well maintained to make sure that it gives full benefit to the youth and that way we shall be developing talent.”
“I am directing Chief Officer Oscar (Igaida) to ensure that we install bleachers around the facility so that when people come to watch games they can have a place to sit. I assure you that the county government will maintain this sports complex well and I will ensure that we have a budgetary allocation to maintain it. Also the funds collected from those who hire the facility will be used to maintain this place and we shall have the highest level of accountability to ensure no public money gets lost,” Sakaja said.
Governor Johnson Sakaja in a chess contest with Kariobangi South MCA Robert Mbatia
The area MCA Robert Mbatia, fondly known as Mr. Good, thanked the county government for actualizing his dream of a sports complex in his ward calling on the youth in the area to maximize the use of the facility to open pathways for them to earn from their talent.
“This is a very happy day form me. I am very excited that the idea I came up with to establish a sports facility is finally a reality. I want to especially thank thank Chief Officer Oscar Igaida with whom we worked together with this ground to ensure that it is completed and today we are all here to celebrate its opening,” Hon. Mbatia said.
“This complex will help in nurturing the talents of people, not only in my ward but the larger Eastlands region and I thank Governor Sakaja for accepting to join us in making this dream a reality,As the area MCA, I am happy that this is happening here and I know that many people in Eastlands are employed in the area of sports and this facility will employ many of our youths and help to hone the talents of many youths especially in Kariobangi South and the adjacent areas,” Hon. Mbatia added.
During the event, Governor Sakaja and his Deputy Muchiri and MCA Mbatia played football, netball, basketball and had a boxing sparing moment. The Governor and his Deputy also had a session with kids engaging in Sports from Uhuru estate encouraging them to, as they pursue academic carriers, they also continue to hone their skills in sports.
The Nairobi County Chief Officer for Sports Oscar Igaida said that the sports is in the heart of Governor Sakaja and that is the reason he has been a busy man working on various sports facilities. He announced the planned ground breaking of Pandpieri grounds in Githurai which will be done in the next three months.
“Today I thank our Governor Sakaja for being at the forefront in supporting sports and I urge the youth to take advantage of this goodwill since you have a governor who loves sports and is willing to support you in your talent development. These sports facilities are meant to help you hone your skills and with Governor Sakaja’s administration, you have the best chance,” Igaida said.
The County Executive Committee Member in-charge of talent and sports Rosemary Kariuki lauded Governor Sakaja’s efforts in developing sports facilities.
“Today we witness the launch of a facility here that will tap talent from the very young ages and this is the dream of our Governor and his administration to ensure that talent pays,” CEC Kariuki said.
Sakaja noted that the county government will ensure good maintenance the sports complex to see that it does not end up dilapidated. He lamented the poor state of Camp Toyoyo grounds saying that the county government will ensure that the turf is repaired.
“Camp Toyoyo belongs to the county government. The former Makadara MP Benson Mutura worked with the county to lay an artificial turf at Toyoyo but now the facility has become dilapidated. We will lay a new turf at a cost of 40 million shillings and revert it to county. County must manage that facility and we are going to work on the paperwork with the current Makadara MP George Aladwa before his term ends,” Governor Sakaja announced.
Sakaja also announced that a motion that has been tabled by MCA Mbatia will see the creation of a county sports management board which will manage facilities as the county moves to construct Mwiki stadium, Kihumbuini in Kangemi, Ziwani grounds, Ndararua in Dagoretti, the ongoing City Stadium and Woodley stadium.
Sakaja said that Githurai All Stars home ground Pandpieri in Githurai will be constructed in the next three months. Githurai All Stars won the inaugural Sakaja Super Cup in December. In total, Sakaja said that the county government has set aside 860 million to make sports facilities in Nairobi.