Nairobi: Residents of Kichukwa Village in Lunga Lunga Sub-County are demanding an explanation over the stalled construction of a sports field in their area. They are calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate how the funds allocated for the project in 2019 were spent.
According to Kenya News Agency, the sports field located near the Kenya-Tanzania border lies in a state of neglect, a far cry from its envisaged purpose of nurturing talents. The residents say that the project was deserted when the contractor left the site in 2020 after constructing a four-door toilet, erecting two goalposts, and an incomplete changing room at the foundation stage. The toilet has since collapsed following heavy downpours in the area, and the would-be changing room for players is covered by overgrown vegetation.
The once-promising ground for the locals who wholeheartedly donated nine acres of land is now infested by wild shrubs and weeds, which have taken root across the playing surface. The ground is not levelled, and stones and construction debris are strewn all over, posing severe danger to any potential users.
The residents alleged that they are being sidelined in county development projects and their attempts to seek an audience with their elected leaders have not borne fruit. Mr. Athman Ruwa, village elder of Kichukwa village, expressed frustration for the abandonment, stating that they were informed during the groundbreaking that the project had been allocated Sh38 million. They are now astonished that it is incomplete, six years after inception.
The Village Elder appeals to the Head of State to intervene to ensure the project is completed. He decried that most funds disbursed to the counties from the National Government are misappropriated. 'The funds allocated to these counties, we know them, but they don't meet the intended purpose,' he stated, emphasising that if the sports field was completed, youths would not be idle as they could be busy nurturing and monetising their talents.
Rashid Mwajereko, Youth Leader, echoed the village elder's sentiments, stressing, 'We want to know if Lunga Lunga residents are in Tanzania or Kenya. If we are in Kenya, we want the sports field to be completed. The project was allocated Sh38 million, but up to now it is deserted,' he lamented. He further noted that football is a source of income and keeps the youths away from indecorous behaviours, reducing drug and alcohol abuse. The Sub-County is proud to have produced Bandari FC striker Beja Nyamawi, who was selected to join Harambee Stars during the recent international friendly match with Chad.
Another resident, Juma Zigambwe, said many campaign pledges are unfulfilled, urging elected leaders to push for the development of the village to be at par with other villages. On his part, Abdalla Mwambega said they were informed that the project is complete, yet on the ground, things are completely different, adding that sports is the panacea of unemployment, thus the project needs to be completed. 'Of the Sh38 million, Sh32million was for the sports field, and Sh6 million for the construction of a toilet. The toilet caved in after a heavy downpour,' he said, appealing to the Ministry of Sports to engage the County Government to complete the project.