Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba has provided assurance to the public regarding the completion of stalled projects and the timely execution of new ones.
As Kenya gears up to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, similar to Uganda, efforts are underway to finalize renovation works at key stadiums in both countries.
Namwamba emphasized that the Ministry of Sports is actively renovating several projects across the nation, aligning with the established master plan to ensure everything is in place for the upcoming events.
The Ministry of Sports is renovating various projects in the country, and Namwamba says this is in line with the master plan they have in place.
“Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, is part of our transformative Sports and Creatives Infrastructure Masterplan, which is guiding our deliberate efforts to upgrade this long-neglected sector.
“The Masterplan covers international stadia like the ultra-modern 60,000-capacity Talanta Sports City currently under construction and the planned Shanzu Stadium in Mombasa; regional stadia like this one ongoing in Bungoma, Bukhungu, Ruring’u in Nyeri, and Moi Stadium Embu, alongside those planned in different parts of the country, including Kamariny, Busia, Mombasa, Ol Kalau, Kapkatet, Njukiri, Marsabit, Garissa, among others; and community facilities that include a series of sports academies and the 48 athletics training centers we are rolling out countrywide.
“We will also complete all stalled projects we inherited, even as we continue the upgrade of old stadia like Nyayo, Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Eldoret. Kenya’s talent pipeline must be serviced by fitting infrastructure,” Namwamba said in a statement on X.
Launch of the audio-visual sector in Africa
In Nairobi, a temporary secretariat for Africa’s audio-visual sector, known as the AACC, has been inaugurated. Spearheaded by the African Union and established in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003, the AACC aims to coordinate the audio-visual sector among AU member states.
Representing Ababu Namwamba, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Ismail Maalim, highlighted that Kenya’s selection to host the temporary Secretariat underscores the country’s commitment to becoming a competitive hub for the continent. This decision is bolstered by Kenya’s robust ICT infrastructure and its array of training institutions capable of enhancing capacity in audio-visual-related careers.
Additionally, an agreement signed between Kenya and prominent entities such as America’s Grammy Awards and Hollywood’s Invention Studios is anticipated to offer complementary learning opportunities and comparative learning programs across the continent.
“We have deployed qualified technical staff as well as support staff to ensure a smooth take-off of the Secretariat.
“Africa’s rich tapestry of stories, traditions, and experiences is a testament to its vibrant diversity and resilience, and cinema is a powerful medium through which we celebrate our heritage, express our aspirations, and share our narrative with the world,” Namwamba said in a statement read by Maalim.
