Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is calling for legal action against contractors for delays and substandard work.
For seven years, the promise of renovating the Ruring'u stadium into a world-class facility has remained unfulfilled.
What was supposed to be a symbol of sporting excellence is only 40 per cent complete, leaving athletes and sports fans disappointed.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is now insisting that the contractors in charge of the project face legal action for unacceptable delays and shoddy workmanship.
"We want this stadium to be a priority. In fact, we acknowledge that a lot of money has been wasted here. Money has been wasted because, as we speak, the artificial track is unusable and the construction work is substandard. It is time for the national government to hold its contractors to account. In this case, all the contractors involved in this project should be taken to court because they signed a contract. Is this what they agreed to deliver?" Kahiga told Nation Sport at his office in Nyeri town on Thursday.
Kahiga's comments come a day after Athletics Kenya said the Ruring'u stadium was not fit to host athletics competitions.
Athletics Kenya had planned to hold the second national athletics weekend at Rurung'u Stadium from 27 February to 1 March. The federation has since moved the Central Region Cross Country Championships to Kagati Grounds in Mathira, Nyeri County.
Capacity to host events
On Tuesday January 28, Athletics Kenya Central Branch chairman David Miano told journalists that Ruring'u Stadium does not have the capacity to host competitions.
"As of now, Ruring'u Stadium is incomplete. The track is there but the surface has peeled off. Many things relevant to field events are missing, including the steeplechase area, and there are no sanitary facilities. We feel that we cannot hold any events there," said Miano.
After seven years of construction, the Ruring'u stadium is in a state of disrepair.
:Part of the running track at Ruring’u Stadium, that was laid in 2021 in this picture taken yesterday. The stadium has been under construction since 2017.
The site is overgrown with thick vegetation and there are no machines in sight. The unfinished stands remain, along with hanging timbers and rafters.
Four private guards often guard the site at any one time, while piles of rotting timber and building materials add to the decay.
The pitch is overgrown with tall grass, the tartan track is peeling off and the perimeter wall has been vandalised.
The main stand under construction at Ruring'u stadium in Nyeri County on April 23, 2022.
Kahiga, who is also the vice chairman of the Council of Governors, said it was shocking that the national government was not prioritising projects initiated by the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Biting off more than we can chew
For instance, in 2023, the government upgraded Moi Embu Stadium in a record three months at a cost of Sh476 million and handed it over to Sports Kenya for management.
This was the first project initiated and completed by the Kenya Kwanza government, while Ruring'u Stadium remained stalled.
A view of Ruring'u stadium in Nyeri County in this photo taken on March 30, 2023.
During his previous visits to the county, President William Ruto promised to complete the stadium and even warned the contractors about the delays, but nothing has moved an inch.
Kahiga urged the President to put his money where his mouth is, saying such unfulfilled promises tarnish his image and make it difficult for people to trust him.
"I think what the president has done is to bite off more than he can chew and it's time he narrowed down to a few projects and complete them," Kahiga added.
"Why should the government start other stadiums and finish them, but we still have this one unfinished? The truth is that this is neglect," Kahiga said.
A tartan athletics track that was laid in 2022 at Ruring'u stadium in Nyeri County in this photo taken on March 26, 2023.
Kahiga turned up the heat on Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge, urging him to pursue the matter in Parliament, saying he had no doubt that there was money in the Sports Fund.
The county boss, who is also Athletics Kenya's Central Region secretary, noted that it's unfortunate that the project was launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017 but remains incomplete despite being overseen by two presidents and six cabinet secretaries in the sports portfolio.
"The other day, the place resembled a swimming pool after an hour of downpour, the tartan track is torn and the buildings are unfinished - Luring'u is a shambles. Is this the legacy we are asking for?" asked the county chief.
Anthony Gitonga, a sports enthusiast from Othaya, added that the delay was a big blow not only to Nyeri town but to the entire county and region, saying that the youth in the area were being denied sporting opportunities.
"We are losing a lot in terms of exposure for the talents of our young people. The main target group for the stadium is the local youth in Nyeri. They do not have a proper training ground or a place to hold events," said Gitonga.
An abandoned concrete mixer at Ruring'u stadium in Nyeri County in this photo taken on March 30, 2023.
The youth leader said the government was not serious about the youth agenda, especially the fight against drugs and substance abuse, if it did not provide facilities like stadiums to keep them busy and help them hone their talents.
