This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
The seventh edition of the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (Kisosca) games, which kicked off on Monday at Kericho Green Stadium, has brought a significant economic boost to Kericho town and its surrounding areas.
According to reports, hotel and lodging operators have hiked prices by over 100 per cent in anticipation of the week-long competition, with rooms fully booked by Monday mid-day.
"It was difficult getting a room for Sh1,500 which I could hardly raise, but I eventually found one at Kapsoit trading centre," said Henry Ojwang from Kisumu County.
Small scale traders, boda boda and taxi operators are also reaping from the games due to the heavy human traffic moving from one field to the other and from their hotel rooms to various venues.
"Business has been good for the last four days because we have been charging Sh100 from the usual Sh50 to various places in the outskirts of the town," said Kibet Langat, a boda boda rider.
However, the partying mood has been dampened by lack of salaries and allowances among players as a result of the spat between National Assembly on one side and the Senate and Council of Governors on one side over Division of Revenue Bill.
"We have not received our salaries and allowances. We have been asked to spend our own money then get a reimbursement later. It's quite a challenge and most of us have had to make do with borrowed money," said a player from Bomet County who did not want to be named.
On Monday, Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya revealed that the Council had resolved to change its calendar for the games from August to October as a result of the cash crunch facing counties mid-year due to transition from one financial year to the other.
