Ruto Orders Kenyans Living On Land Near Ksh1.6B Stadium To Relocate

According to Ruto, this would allow for the facility to be expanded, with the President noting that the land near the stadium was state-owned.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Jun 1, 2024 - 16:15 Updated: Jun 1, 2024 - 16:22
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Ruto Orders Kenyans Living On Land Near Ksh1.6B Stadium To Relocate
President William Ruto speaking on May 31, 2024 at the Kenya Military Academy - Lanet, Nakuru, for the officer cadet commissioning parade. /PCS

President William Ruto has directed the immediate surrender of the land located near the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County.

The Head of State issued the order on Saturday, June 1, as Kenya marked the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma County.

According to Ruto, this would allow for the facility to be expanded, with the President noting that the land near the stadium was state-owned. Therefore, he urged those residing in the said parcels of land to vacate.

Preparations at Masinde Muliro stadium ahead of Madaraka Day celebrations. /X

"Let me ask the people around this stadium, especially those who have decided especially those who have decided to acquire some of the public lands, please, let’s respect each other a little bit.

"All those who have land here knowing very well it belongs to the government, gradually take your belongings and leave, we will build here so that it looks good," he stated.

While issuing the orders, the President affirmed that the contractors would not leave the site until the stadium was fully completed, as planned.

Ruto also directed military officers obligated with the role of renovating the stadium to work hand in hand with the contractors to ensure the renovation works within the stadium are completed on time.

"We do not want forceful evictions or wrangles with anyone, we want to do it with respect because public land is public property," he added.

Ruto's directive came a day after Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that the government spent Ksh807 million to undertake renovations on the first phase of the stadium which has a sitting capacity of 40,000, ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.

The second phase of renovating the Masinde Mulio stadium will cover terraces, perimeter fence, and access passes, a matter Mwaura added is nearly complete at an additional cost of Ksh790 million, with the cost of the two phases coming to a total of Ksh1.6 billion.

Ruto also directed Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka to initiate the process of acquiring more land for the expansion of the Matulo Airstrip, adding that the government had already allocated funds to facilitate the expansion of the airstrip's runway and the construction of new termini.

"Just as I had said, you will not have to travel to Eldoret or Kisumu to catch a flight, you have the convenience of a new airport here in Webuye," the president announced.

This would help realise plans announced by President Ruto on Friday, May 31 for Bungoma to be transformed into a city which would set the tone for the town's conferrment to city status.