Construction of the long-awaited 10,000-seater Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga County will begin immediately, with the Kenya Defence Forces taking the lead in overseeing the project, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced.
Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by President William Ruto on Thursday, Mudavadi described the project as historic and forward-looking, noting that it represents a major milestone in the region’s development agenda.
The stadium, with an estimated cost of Sh900 million, is expected to be completed within nine months and is among the flagship projects earmarked for implementation in Vihiga County this year.
“Construction works will commence immediately, and once complete, Kidundu Stadium will be in a position to host matches that meet international standards,” Mudavadi said.
He added that the facility would not only enhance sports development but also create economic opportunities for local communities through job creation and increased business activity.
Mudavadi revealed that he had requested the President to allocate an additional Sh100 million to improve access to the stadium, including upgrading the road linking Majengo, Kidundu, and Mbale.
“I have requested the President to consider allocating an additional Sh100 million to support this project, so that we can have the road from Majengo passing through Kidundu Stadium and joining Mbale tarmacked, thus making this stadium easily accessible,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also addressed concerns around land acquisition, assuring residents that compensation for affected landowners would be handled transparently and within a set timeline.
“The groundbreaking sets the stage for the final stages of compensation to landowners, and within two months the exercise should have been completed,” he said.
“The intention of the government is to ensure every landowner is left in a comfortable place once they relinquish their land. Their contribution will not be forgotten.”
Mudavadi further pledged to personally follow up on compensation payments to ensure that all commitments made by the government are honored.
“I place those who heed the government’s request in high regard and assure them that personally I will follow up on their compensation to the last coin as pledged by the President,” he added.
He noted that the project had been made possible after landowners agreed to release more than 20 acres of land, and announced that their contributions would be recognized in a Hall of Honour at the stadium upon completion.
The stadium project was among several development initiatives launched during the President’s tour of Vihiga County. The leaders also commissioned 220 housing units under the affordable housing programme at Milimani Estate in Majengo.
Mudavadi said the housing project, implemented under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, is part of over 170,000 units currently under construction nationwide.
“This reflects the Government’s collective commitment to creating jobs, empowering communities, and expanding access to decent housing,” he said.
Additionally, the President and his delegation laid the foundation stone for the Mbale County Strategic Market, a KSh365 million project expected to benefit at least 1,500 traders.