Dr. Kipchoge Keino, a renowned athlete, wants the Kipchoge Keino Stadium renovation in Eldoret to be completed. The veteran track athlete claimed that the facility’s renovations have taken more than ten years. This has had a negative effect on the country’s athletes.
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In the development of football and track and field talents, among other sports, he claimed that the facility is really iconic in terms of sports in the country. He said that he was happy to inform the people that Kipchoge Keino Stadium is a renowned stadium not only in Kenya but around the globe.
In order to complete the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, he appealed to the international community for their support.
Kipchoge Keino Stadium’s renovation project financiers
China provided them with Sh550 million for the Kipchoge Keino Stadium. Nothing has been done as of now since conversing with a former minister in the government of the late President Mwai Kibaki.
He said they were handed Sh100 million, but only Sh20 million went to the contractors. Kipkeino added that the rest of the funds were used by the selected few for their own gain. The construction of the gym, accommodation and other necessities will be undertaken by the international community.
He claimed that people had been spotted drying maize and other cereals on stadium land. The former athlete added that they should develop such facilities and act honestly. Kipkeino stated that the North Rift is at a high altitude, and they require a stadium for training.
He also urged countries to include sports in their development plans. Additionally, he said there’s talent worldwide, and only countries can help in developing it. Regarding doping, he alleged that some people are taking advantage of Kenyan athletes for their own gain.
He encouraged the incoming Sports Cabinet Secretary to put in place strict measures to counter the vice that is undermining sports among young people.
Reported earlier
Dec 2017
Construction of phase one of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kenya is almost complete
The construction of phase one of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Kenya is almost complete. This is according to the Chinese company working on the first phase of the project.
Weihai International Economic &Technical Cooperative Co., Ltd (WIETC), the company behind the project confirmed that 90% of the work has already been finished and that they will be soon handing over their complete part to the government.
Also Read: Construction works to begin in Kenya in readiness for 2018 African Nations Championship
WIETC Company had initially been awarded the whole tender to construct the VIP pavilion, terraces, changing rooms, and parking lot, but things changed when the country was denied the chance to host the 2018 African Nations Championships.
Tender for the work
The tender for the work was again shared with other contractors in phases and they were allocated the first phase. Phase two is yet to take off but was however allocated to another company- Shiv Construction.
Shiv Construction was contracted to a build VIP dais and parking area but has since stopped work on the project because it has not received money from the government. Also, a third contractor awarded the tender to plant grass at the pitch has only graded it and this is also due to the poor allocation of funds from the government.
One of the project managers appealed to Sports Kenya to provide the rest of the money meant for the project so that they can proceed swiftly.
WIETC has accomplished remarkable achievements based on constant expansion in international construction project contracting among other things. They have widespread markets covering 30 countries and regions and dozens of subsidiaries located in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya which has brought their overall strength to the top in the industry.
Shiv Construction Company Limited has over Forty years of experience in the building and construction industry in Kenya. They are renowned specialists in these areas having worked on housing schemes, Universities & student centers, hospitals, banks, office blocks, factories & civil works.
Jan 2018
Renovation works at Kipchoge Keino Stadium to be complete by April
The renovation works going on at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Kenya are projected to be complete by April this year; this is according to the Kenyan government.
Sports Principal Secretary Mr. Kirimi Kaberia confirmed the reports after a tour of the sports facility. He pointed out that there was a deadline that the government had set for the completion of the renovations that are currently ongoing.
“We have been engaging the site contractors who have assured us that they are committed to ensuring that the timelines are met. By April we will have the stadium up and running so that we can host major sporting events,” said Kaberia.
Also Read: Construction of phase one of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kenya almost complete
He added that he was hopeful by the given date Kipchoge Keino stadium would be up and operational.
In addition, Weihai International Economic &Technical Cooperative Co., Ltd (WIETC), the company behind the project confirmed that 90% of the work is already complete and that they will be soon handing over their complete phase 1 to the government.
Kipchoge Keino Stadium was one of the sports facilities in the country that was designated for the 2018 African Nations Championship whose hosting rights were taken from Kenya and given to Morocco.
The Confederation of African football cited a lack of preparedness on the part of Kenya as their reason for moving the biennial tournament set aside for local-based players only.
Jan 2019
Kenya’s Kipchoge Keino stadium nears completion
Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kenya is 90% complete; this is according to Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.
Mr. Rashid Echesa said that the stadium which is being built by China’s WIETEC Company and Kenya’s Shiv Construction Company will house a VIP lounge, offices, dressing rooms, and other facilities, only went on as far as the foundation block.
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Construction delays
The stadium had stalled renovations for two years due to contractors complaining of a lack of payment from the government. Works that Kenya’s Shiv Construction Company is handling are at the foundation level.
The sports CS however clarified and said that the government is continuing to source more funds to speed up the completion. “The north Rift region is known for athletics and other sports and we would like to see more events held here as part of encouraging youths to participate in various disciplines. We have agreed with the contractors to speed up the stadium works so that it can be ready for use as we continue sourcing for more funds,” said Echesa.
WIETEC Company had been initially awarded the tender to construct the VIP pavilion, terraces, changing rooms, and parking lot. But terms changed when Kenya was stripped of hosting rights of the Africa Nations Championships football tournament some of whose matches were to be held at the stadium.
Additionally, Mr. Rashid Echesa said the county government has 26 acres of land they wish to negotiate with the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Prisons Service to help secure and extend for the construction of another stadium.
April 2019
Phase one of Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex in Kenya nears completion
Phase one of the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex which is under construction at Kabsabet Showground in Kenya nears completion. Elly Kurgat, a Sports Executive confirmed the reports and said that phase two is set to commence soon as bids are currently under evaluation.
The Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex is being built in honor of the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon Record Holder Eliud Kipchoge. Construction works on phase one consist of a state-of-the-art gym facility, a conference hall, the complex’s main offices, a training track, and an athletes’ lounge. It has so far cost the Nandi County government US $300, 000 solely.
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Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex
Phase two which is estimated to cost US $700,000 will feature a physiotherapy room, a 100-bed capacity hostel facility, a second conference hall, and a restaurant among other facilities.
Governor Stephen Sang’s administration took over the construction of the Sports Complex in September last year. The structure would be initially named Kipchoge Keino Stadium but the governor upon the takeover announced that the facility would be renamed to commemorate the newly renowned athlete.
The entire sports complex, upon completion in October this year shall boast a 200-bed capacity for boarding athletes, a swimming pool, an art studio, and a gallery that will be named after prominent heroes and heroines in the sports sector.
Last year Governor Sang noted that his government will work with schools to nurture talents and use the new sport complex grounds for trials for the next world championship as well as the summer Olympics.
Mr. Sang lately has also revealed a grand plan to give the county’s sports sector a new face by constructing new world-class training grounds and revamping the existing grounds. He also revealed plans to sell the county to international sports brands with help from renowned athletic champions like Eliud Kipchoge, and Amos Kipruto among other athletes from the county.
Jan 2021
Construction works at Kipchoge Keino stadium in Eldoret resume
Kipchoge Keino Stadium Renovation in Eldoret have resumed. This is after a new contractor began operations at the US $6m project. Golbo Contractors have been tasked with building the Northern and the Southern wings which will conclude work on the terraces meant to accommodate a capacity of 30,000 people.
According to the site engineer Geoffrey Kinyua, they have been tasked to build the remaining terraces and level the grounds before completing the project with the parking area. “We are one month old here at the site and I’m happy with the progress so far because we are racing against time so that we can finish what was on the contract. The project consists of the construction of the remaining terraces, drainage, roofing, and the parking lot,” he explained.
He further revealed that they are targeting to complete the works by mid-May or early June and hand over the project if the cash flow will be steady. “We have applied for the first certificate and we hope the flow of cash will be steady because we want to finish the project by June so that we can hand it over to the government,” he added.
Also Read: Construction of Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu to be completed next month
VIP terraces
Shiv Construction Company, which is tasked with building and completing the VIP terraces, is setting the base for the first floor after a long break.
Kipchoge Keino stadium stalled in 2017 immediately after the Sports Kenya and the County Government of Uasin Gishu signed an agreement to renovate the stadium with works set to cover the VIP terraces, changing rooms, a conference hall, indoor games hall, and terraces for between 15,000 to 25,000 spectators.
The national government released a total of US $2.1m initially, while the County Government of Uasin Gishu was to disburse the US $908,776.20 for the construction of the parking lot and installation of lighting.
The works were later divided into four portions after the initial contractor WIETEC Company was given the eastern wing and began operations after they were paid 8% of an initial 20% deposit. They completed their portion in 2019 and vacated the place.
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