Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged to seek Sh200 million to complete the stalled Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, raising hopes that the long awaited facility could soon be opened for use by local youth and sports enthusiasts.
Prof Kindiki made the commitment during a development tour of Kiambu, following an appeal by Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, who challenged the national government to prioritise the completion of the stadium and intensify efforts to tackle alcohol abuse among residents.
The pledge places the spotlight on the unfinished sports facility, which has been identified as a potential hub for nurturing sporting talent, engaging young people in constructive activities and providing a venue for community events.
Responding to Ms Wamuratha’s appeal, the Deputy President acknowledged that the project remained incomplete and said he would look for the Sh200 million required to bring the stadium to completion.
“Out of respect for you, out of respect for those elders, out of respect for Hon Machua, and out of respect for Anne Wamuratha, I am going to look for Sh200 million so we can finish that stadium,” Prof Kindiki said.
He added that the facility should ultimately serve the interests of young people, who stand to benefit from improved access to sporting and recreational infrastructure.
The commitment followed an earlier visit to Kirigiti, where the Deputy President accompanied local leaders during an event dedicated to elders rather than political mobilisation.
Prof Kindiki said Kiambu MP Machua Waithaka had brought the funding requirement to his attention, noting that Sh200 million was needed to complete the project.
Although the Deputy President pledged to seek the money, he did not specify the source of funding or provide a timeline for its release.
Beyond its sporting potential, Prof Kindiki highlighted Kirigiti’s place in Kenya’s political history, describing the site as an important landmark associated with the country’s pre independence struggle.
He recalled the historical gathering at which Jomo Kenyatta was presented as a leader of the Agikuyu community in the years preceding independence.
The Deputy President said completing the stadium would honour the site’s historical significance while ensuring that it serves the needs of a new generation.
The facility is expected to provide young people with space to organise sporting activities and develop their talents, while offering the county another venue for major public events.
The latest pledge comes amid growing calls for investments that can help address youth unemployment, promote sports and provide alternatives to social challenges affecting communities across Kiambu.
However, the project’s completion will depend on the mobilisation of the promised funds and the subsequent implementation of the outstanding works.
Ms Wamuratha welcomed the development agenda outlined by the Deputy President but used her address to draw attention to projects she said still required government intervention.
She told the gathering that the unfinished Kirigiti Stadium should be completed to give young people a place to organise themselves and participate in productive activities.
The Woman Representative said the facility could provide an opportunity for the county government and other stakeholders to organise programmes targeting young people.
She urged the national government to support initiatives that would improve the welfare of children and young people, arguing that their needs should remain central to development planning.
“Let the youth be looked after. Let the children be looked after,” she said, appealing for greater attention to programmes that could improve their opportunities and livelihoods.
Ms Wamuratha also called for concerted efforts to address alcohol abuse in Kiambu, describing the problem as a major burden on families and the wider community.
She appealed to Prof Kindiki to help mobilise support for interventions that would strengthen the fight against alcohol abuse and encourage residents to participate in development initiatives.
Her remarks broadened the discussion beyond infrastructure to include social welfare, public health and the need to protect young people from challenges that could undermine their future.
The Woman Representative said alcohol abuse remained a pressing concern in Kiambu and called for a coordinated response involving national and county governments, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Her appeal comes against the backdrop of longstanding concerns about the social and economic consequences of harmful alcohol consumption, including its effects on families, livelihoods and community wellbeing.
She urged leaders to work together to ensure that development projects are accompanied by measures that safeguard children and support young people.
The call also underscored the importance of combining infrastructure investment with social interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
Ms Wamuratha said she was ready to support programmes targeting young people, invoking her role as the county’s Woman Representative and describing herself as a mother figure to the community.
She encouraged youth to engage with available leadership and development opportunities, while urging them to remain involved in initiatives intended to improve their circumstances.
The exchange between the two leaders highlighted the expectations facing national and county governments to translate development promises into completed projects and tangible benefits for residents.
For Kiambu, completing Kirigiti Stadium would add to the county’s sporting infrastructure while providing a potential platform for youth engagement.
The Sh200 million pledge is therefore likely to attract close attention from residents awaiting the project’s completion, particularly young people who could benefit from expanded sporting and recreational opportunities.
The commitment also raises the question of how quickly the required resources can be secured and when the remaining construction work can be completed.
Prof Kindiki concluded his response by rallying the gathering, invoking the support of elders, mothers and young people as he reiterated the importance of completing the facility.
For residents of Kirigiti and the wider Kiambu community, the next critical step will be translating the Deputy President’s commitment to seek the funds into financing and completion of the stadium.
The project now stands as a test of how government pledges on local infrastructure can be converted into facilities that serve communities long after official visits have ended.
