This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
It's been six years since the Jubilee administration launched several sports projects, including the development of stadiums across the country, ahead of the 2013 General Election. However, the projects have now turned into empty promises to the disappointment of sportsmen and women.
According to a spot check by The Standard, the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret Town, which was among five facilities Jubilee promised to upgrade, has been abandoned after contractors left the site due to alleged non-payment for work done.
Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have also sunk money into upgrading of Kamariny and Chagaiya training facilities. However, the facilities have been abandoned, leaving athletes with no choice but to spend a lot of money to access private facilities.
Joash Kimutai, a budding athlete who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, said he has been forced to part with Sh300 daily to train at Tambach Teachers Training track after work at Kamariny Stadium stalled.
Former world marathon champion Wilson Kipsang said Kamariny Stadium was the only public training facility in Iten. Mr Kipsang says athletics fortunes have dwindled in recent years due to lack of public training facilities.
Uasin Gishu-based runner Robert Kipkemboi, who won the Iten marathon last year, said he has been training on roads due to lack of a proper stadium.
According to the audit report for 2017-18 financial year, Kipchoge Keino, which was to become the biggest stadium in the North Rift, had gobbled Sh117,380,994 by the end of June 2018.
Former Auditor General Edward Ouko said in his report that the Ministry of Sports paid Sh34 million (11 per cent of the total contract) for the Kamariny project that was to be completed in August 2018.
At Kipchoge Keino, though the contractor constructed a tartan track, the pavilion and changing rooms are yet to be completed.
Yesterday, about five cows and ten sheep were grazing on the abandoned training camp where about 80 apartments and a hall had been built to lintel level before it was abandoned two years ago.
Uasin Gishu sports executive Joseph Kurgat declined to comment on the matter, but the county assembly committee on sports described the project as troubled.
Committee chairman Edward Yego said the Chagaiya High Altitude Training facility has cost the county millions according to assembly reports.
However, in Nandi County, a Sh100 million training camp that was established in honour of world record marathon holder Eliud Kipchoge, who hails from the county, is almost complete.
Sports ministry chief officer Kennedy Tanui said phase one of the project that entailed construction of 50 houses that will accommodate athletes was completed.
Mr Tanui said the project, in Kapsabet, will be ready by February next year.
