Sports

Kajiado County Youth and Sports Minister Alvin Kimani together with Ngong MCA Robert “sungura” Muoria held a meeting yesterday evening 19th February 2018 at around 6pm with Ngong youth, majority of them being football players. The meeting which was held at the Ngong MCA’S Office was called to discuss the way forward in regard to the relocation of the Ngong market traders from the current location to the stadium. The youth were concerned the relocation will affect sports in Ngong especially football, rugby and volleyball teams. The following key points were made during the meeting: By CS Alvin Kimani: The World Bank had given the following ultimatums: • The 800million allocated for the Ngong Market in 2010 must be used by February 2018. • The land where the market traders will be moved temporarily must have a title deed. CS Kimani claimed the traders cannot be relocated to parking bays near the market or the road reserves because there do not have title deeds. He further claimed the land next to the TNA Office has 7 title deeds and over 5 court injunctions and therefore the traders cannot be relocated there. CS Kimani further said: • A disturbance allowance will be allocated to the stadium based teams out of the 61million shillings allocated by the World Bank to move the traders. He did not specify the actual amount of the disturbance allowance. • A fence will be built to separate the temporary market and the pitch. • The new pitch will move approximately 200mtrs from its current location. • The World Bank will build permanent changing rooms, toilet facilities and other social amenities to serve the new pitch. • The World Bank will fund a local league to take place at the new pitch. • The new pitch will be of higher standard than the current one. • The World Bank has committed in writing that the new market, will be complete within one year i.e May 2018 – May 2019. • The new market will accommodate 2400 traders. • There will be public participation during demarcation. Ngong MCA Robert “Sungura Muoria said: • Ngong youth should own the market project which will create future jobs for some of them. • Security Lights will be put up at the new pitch. • The new pitch will be fenced. • He will work with the youth to ensure they get priority in employment. Njuguna “Pandy” who plays for Black Burners FC requested if the money allocated for the new pitch can be put towards completing the stalled Ngong stadium. In response, CS Kimani said the stalled stadium is a project of the County Government and he has no authority to use the World Bank funds towards any other project. He further said the new pitch, toilet facilities and changing rooms will be completed before the new market project kick starts. Eric Njuguna requested if one or two youth could be included in the World Bank funded project committee to represent the interests of the youth. CS Kimani in response said the World Bank usually has its own managers and committees. There were concerns, grass will take longer than two months to grow in the new pitch as per relocation period.