Six years on, Kwale's Sh38m stadium lies in ruins as locals cry foul

Residents of Kichukwa village in Lunga Lunga Sub-County have demanded answers over the stalled construction of a sports field in their area.

They called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the use of funds allocated for the project in 2019.

The sports field located near the Kenya-Tanzania border lies in a state of neglect, far from its envisaged purpose of nurturing talents.

The residents said yesterday that the project was deserted after the contractor left the site in 2020. He only constructed a four-door toilet, two goalposts, and an incomplete changing room at the foundation stage.

The toilet has since collapsed after heavy downpours in the area, and the would-be changing room for players is engulfed in overgrown vegetation.

The once-promising ground for the locals who donated nine acres is now infested with wild shrubs and weeds, which have taken root across the playing surface.

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The ground is not levelled, stones and construction debris are strewn all over, posing severe threats 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.

The village elder, Mr Athman Ruwa, expressed frustration for the abandonment, stating that they were informed during the groundbreaking that the project had been allocated Sh38 million.

However, he said they were surprised to be informed that it was in  ‘phase one’, six years after inception.

“There is no phase one,” he stated, alleging graft in implementing the project that denied the youths an opportunity to nurture and showcase their talents.

He appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and ensure the project was completed.

He claimed most of the funds disbursed to the counties from the national government had been misappropriated.

“The funds allocated to these counties do not meet the intended purpose,” he said, adding that if the sports field were completed, youths would not be idle as they would be nurturing and monetising their talents.

Youth leader, Rashid Mwajereko, echoed the sentiments, stressing that the contractor abandoned the project and left it incomplete.

“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 protested.

Mwajereko noted that football is a source of income and inhibits the youths from negative habits, reduces drug and alcohol abuse.

Lunga Lunga subcounty 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 areas in the country.