Deputy President Kithure Kindiki visited Maragua to inspect the Gakoigo Stadium project and discuss development priorities. (Photo: capitalfm.africa)
The Deputy President inspected the Sh900 million Gakoigo Stadium project and urged Mt Kenya leaders to prioritise development over political divisions.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development record, saying projects under implementation in Murang’a County demonstrate progress towards fulfilling its election manifesto.
During a public engagement in Maragua, where he inspected construction of Gakoigo Stadium, Kindiki urged residents and leaders to keep development at the centre of public debate as political activity builds towards the 2027 General Election.
According to Capital FM, the Deputy President said the administration would continue delivering its commitments despite criticism. He also announced plans for a meeting with Murang’a leaders to review local development priorities and government pledges.
Sh900 million allocated to stadium project
The Gakoigo Stadium project in Maragua Constituency is designed to hold 10,000 spectators and meet international standards. Government records cited in the report indicate that Sh900 million has been allocated for the facility, which is being built at Samar.
Its planned features include a standard football pitch, an eight-lane running track, a VIP pavilion, modern terraces, changing rooms and spectator stands. The State Department for Sports has put the expected construction period at about nine months.
The move to Samar followed a technical review of the original Gakoigo grounds. That assessment found the site unsuitable for a stadium of the proposed size and standard because of insufficient space, its orientation and an unfavourable slope.
The original grounds are not being abandoned. According to the department, they are due for rehabilitation and will remain available for training and middle-tier sporting competitions.
Government highlights wider sports programme
Kindiki linked the Maragua development to the government’s broader investment in sporting facilities. He described the current expansion as the most costly sports infrastructure programme in Kenya’s 63-year history.
The government says Gakoigo is part of a network of 32 stadium projects being developed nationwide. It presents the programme as a way to improve access to sporting infrastructure while giving young people opportunities to develop their abilities and generate income from their talents.
For the Maragua community, the planned stadium would provide a larger venue for sporting activities, alongside the continued use of the existing grounds after rehabilitation. Construction of the new facility remains ongoing.
Unity appeal ahead of 2027 election
Kindiki also called for unity in Mt Kenya, arguing that political competition should not disrupt development work. He urged residents and leaders to work together and support President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
Addressing criticism of his political engagements, he said he preferred to be judged on development delivery rather than exchanges of personal insults. He added that he had forgiven his critics and would not retaliate in kind.
The Deputy President said elders had entrusted him with promoting peace and unity in the region. His planned discussions with Murang’a leaders, he said, would therefore centre on projects and manifesto commitments rather than political disagreements.
Among the infrastructure priorities he identified was the proposed Bombo–Gwa Thamaki Road. Kindiki said the project would require billions of shillings and called for it to be started and completed within a year.
His remarks placed the administration’s local project record at the centre of its political message, while calling on leaders to maintain cooperation as the next election approaches.
