MP Wanyama warns Sports funding cut spells doom for youths
Sports, Culture and Arts Committee chairperson Hon. Dan Wanyama speaks during ground breaking ceremony of Talanta Sports City at Jamhuri Grounds on March 1, 2024.
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Wanyama argued that the sector should also receive the lion’s share in the budget, emphasizing the critical role the ministry plays in youth development and national pride.
The State Department for Sports received a reduced budget of Ksh17.46 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, after the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) slashed the initial allocation of Ksh18.59 billion initially proposed by the National Treasury.
“The youth can only be occupied through what this ministry is doing and therefore I want to plead with the executive and particularly the treasury that the percentage of the budget of this country, much more of it, should come to the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Creative Arts. For the reason is, if we do not occupy this youth now, they will occupy Parliament tomorrow and that is something that we don't want to get to,” said Wanyama.
The Webuye West MP spoke during an inspection tour at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums being renovated for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The legislator expressed satisfaction with the upgrades of the two facilities, now at 85-percent complete, saying the country is on track to meet CAF standards ahead of the continental competition set for August.
“What we’ve seen here is nothing short of commendable. Talanta Stadium is taking shape well, and Nyayo and Kasarani are ready to host the two continental events and if more is done we can liaise with other countries to host the World Cup. We, as a committee, will push for even more funding. The Ministry deserves it, and so does the country.”
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya revealed that the construction of the world-class Nairobi's Talanta Sports City Stadium is at 45-percent complete and would be ready by December this year.
The 60,000-seater facility designed to host football and rugby matches only is for completion in time for AFCON 2027 that will be also set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
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