All eyes on Kisumu as county games kick off next week
Preparations for the ninth edition of the Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) games in Kisumu scheduled for next week are complete.
The annual county games will be hosted in the Lakeside county between January 16 and 21 and are expected to attract about 8,000 participants from across the 47 counties.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said preparations to host the event have been finalised, with all the venues and facilities that will offer accommodation to participants already prepared. Nyong’o said the facilities have been assessed in readiness for the event, adding that the arrangements were being done through detailed consultations with the Kicosca National Executive Committee.
The Governor noted they have been assured by the security agencies of proper security arrangements during the week-long event.
“Preparations are at the tail end and I want to thank the Local Organizing Committee for doing a good job. We want to assure the over 8,000 visitors who will be here for the next seven days that they will be very safe in Kisumu,” Nyong’o said.
The games will be held in 13 venues, including Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Moi stadium, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Centre, the Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kassam Secondary School and Lions High School.
Other venues are Kisumu Day Secondary School, the Aga Khan Hall, Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall, Rotary Training Centre, Cosmopolitan Club and the Nyanza Golf Club.
“These avenues are well prepared to host the 21 disciplines of the games. With close consultation with the National Executive Committee and the competing counties, we have identified, booked and prepared various hotels and learning institutions that will be accommodating the delegates,” the Governor said.
He added that the accommodation facilities have been inspected and fumigated by the department of Public Health.
According to Nyong’o, the national event is expected to boost the economy of Kisumu city as well as other counties across the Nyanza region and beyond.
“I want to appeal to small and medium-scale traders to seize this opportunity to provide services to the guests in an organized manner. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to Kisumu,” he added.
Kisumu was destined to host the games last year but they were pushed to this year because of other activities that were falling almost at the same time.
