Murang’a: Murang’a County is set for a major boost in sports infrastructure, as the National government has embarked on the construction of stadiums and sports academies.
According to Kenya News Agency, Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi stated that the projects are aimed at nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for youth in the County.
Speaking during an inspection and public engagement forum at Mumbi grounds in Murang’a town on Saturday, Mwangi noted the projects form part of President William Ruto’s deliberate strategy to decentralise sports development and ensure counties benefit from modern facilities. Mwangi stated that Murang’a had been prioritised due to its large youth population and long history of producing sporting talent, despite limited infrastructure.
‘The government is intentional about taking sports development to the grassroots and Murang’a County is one of the beneficiaries of this commitment,’ said the PS. ‘We have identified key sites where modern facilities are being constructed to provide proper training, competition and talent development pathways for our young people,’ he added.
Mwangi confirmed that the flagship Mumbi Stadium is under construction, describing it as a game-changer for sports in the County. The 10,000-seater Stadium will include a standard football pitch, an eight-lane tartan athletics track, dressing rooms, VIP sections and auxiliary courts for basketball, volleyball, handball and netball.
He noted that the project is already creating employment for local residents and will position Murang’a as a host County for regional and national sporting events. ‘This Stadium is not just about football or athletics; it is about creating an ecosystem where talent can be identified, nurtured, and exposed to higher levels of competition,’ Mwangi added.
The PS further disclosed that the government is upgrading Gakoigo grounds in Maragua Constituency into a modern stadium facility. The upgraded Gakoigo Stadium will also have a standard football pitch, an athletics track, improved changing rooms, and enhanced security infrastructure to support organised sporting activities.
On youth training and long-term talent development, Mwangi observed that Murang’a will host constituency-based sports academies, starting with the Mirira Sports Academy in Kiharu Constituency. He explained that the academy will feature a football pitch, athletics track and courts for indoor and outdoor games, alongside water and sanitation facilities to support full-time training programmes.
‘Sports academies like Mirira are critical because they allow us to identify talent early and nurture it in a structured environment,’ said Mwangi. ‘This ensures that promising athletes are not lost due to lack of facilities or guidance,’ Mwangi added.
Plans are also underway to establish another sports academy in Kandara Constituency at Kabati/Makenji, aimed at expanding access to training facilities across the County and reducing the distance young athletes must travel to access quality infrastructure.
During the groundbreaking of Mumbi Stadium in early December, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, revealed that the Murang’a infrastructure developments align with the government’s vision of using sports as a tool for youth empowerment and economic growth. Mvurya noted the Mumbi Modern Stadium will serve both sporting and economic purposes.
‘We are constructing modern sports facilities in Murang’a so that our youth can train in dignified, professional environments,’ said Mvurya. ‘Facilities like Mumbi Stadium and the sports academies will help us nurture talent, create jobs, and open up economic opportunities for the local community,’ Mvurya added.
The CS noted that once completed, the facilities will reduce the need for athletes from Murang’a to seek training grounds outside the County, while also attracting competitions that will benefit local businesses. The leaders maintained that the Murang’a sports projects reflect the government’s commitment to equitable development, with sports infrastructure viewed as a long-term investment in youth empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable growth within the County.