Skip to main content

KIRINGITI STADIUM BEATS JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM HANDS DOWN

Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu is a national monument of shame and embarrassment to the Lake Region. It doesn't tick any boxes of a truly international stadium. The artistic impression images of the stadium widely shared on the internet does not match - by any stretch of the imagination - the delivered project, like a chopper to a motor car wreckage. Only a complete makeover can bridge the gap, a makerover which by all indication, isn't going to happen. The stadium has no walls at all, only a cheap tin roof hoisted high on concrete beams giving it the look of an old city ruin. The stands aren’t one continuous block, instead they are a patchwork of disjointed concrete slabs under tin roofed sheds much like cattle pens in one huge factory farm. The stadium is better than nothing, but that's all it is; better than nothing.

A section of Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Kisumu (coutersy: the star newspaper)

To call it “international” is an insult to the English language. Mind you, this is a national government project, launched by a whole cabinet secretary, inspected by none other than the President himself. If JKIS is was supposed to be a handshake goody, then it has failed miserably. And it was meant just for that: to quell the anger of Nyanza after a disputed election. JKIS has done anything but. Compare this to the Kiringiti Stadium in Kiambu county – a low key stadium that no one even talks about – it pales in comparison. Mind you, Kiringiti doesn’t even boast of the tittle “national” or “international” but the stadium is the real deal. Kiringiti Stadium is not even complete yet but it’s already looks more aesthetically appealing than Jomo Kenyatta in Kisumu. Lest we forget, Kiringiti stadium received a bigger budgetary allocation (Sh600 million) than Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium (a paltry sh498 million). Now, which deserve the tittle “international”? Decide for yourself. Construction at the Kiringiti Stadium, Kiambu County (Coutersy: Kenya News Agency)

Anything for political points, but this is beyond ridiculous. Of course the people of Kisumu will take it - it’s far much better than nothing – but it will serve a stern reminder not to wait upon the so-called national government goodies, and simply do stuff on their own.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

20 LINGALA WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW THEIR MEANINGS

Over the last couple of years the Lingala language has gained and continues to gain unprecedented popularity in Kenya . Many Kenyans now can speak fluent Lingala. Some even sing in the langauge! I'm talking about Papa Fololo, Igwe Prezda Bandasson, Awilo Mike of Jamnazi Africa, Fofona Bangali and myself, just to name but a few. Part of the reason for this popularity is: Lingala is easy to learn (For Lingala-Swahili similarities, click here ). I mean, it is ridiculously easy. So easy, in fact, it takes just a few months. Forget about the Lingala you hear in songs that's bedeviled with iterations of Lingalized French (Hahah, what does that even mean?). I'm talking about Lingala in its purest form here, the one not polluted with foreign languages. Well, before I bore you to death with detail, I'm happy to present you here with 20 popular lingala words and phrases I thought you could be interested in knowing their meaning. Let's get right into it, shall we? 1. Bolingo
86 comments
Read more

5 POPULAR LINGALA PHRASES EVERY RUMBA LOVER MUST KNOW

Lingala is probably the fastest growing indigenous African language largely due to Congolese music (Rumba, soukous, chatchto and the like). Some of the greatest composers and singers in Africa have sung in this language producing some renown hit songs that have dominated the African airwaves for decades while introducing some endearing phrases and catchphrases that never just never fade from our collective memory. Lingala is reputed as Africa's most romantic language and it has surely lived up to this reputation. Lingala phrases are a pure joy to listen to, especially when you understand them. Some of these phrases are priceless pieces of wisdom while some overflow with sardonic humor and wit. But one thing is for sure, these phrases are simply unforgettable, for one reason or another. Maybe it's because we tend to be fascinated with exotic languages and ideas. Or maybe, the Congolese people are just damn good at composing music. Either way, their singing, their music and mann
4 comments
Read more

TOP 5 LUO BENGA SONGS AND MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME

Luo benga is a crowded scene. It is a boiling pot teeming with hundreds of artistes, both dead and alive, young and old, males and females jostling for space in this very competitive music world.We have legends like the late George Ramogi, the late Owino Missiani (also known as DO Missiani), The late Okatch Biggy, the late Prince July, the late Prince Kassam, the late Omondi Tony, the late Kollela Maze, The late Kodiyo, to sample but a few. We also have an emerging crop of young talents like Dolla Kabarry, George Dume, Otieno Small, Kamaliza Majengo, Aluoch Jamaranda, Reggie Kabaselle  (son of the late Ochieng Kabaselleh ), Aluoch Jipanoran, Ogina KoKo, Omondi Longlilo, Jerry Jalamo Ka'John  and Osito Kalle to mention but a few. We cannot all agree who is the best and I am not going to impose my choices on you. But we can agree that from the long list of Benga artists in Luoland a few names stand out and a few songs stand out from the bunch like giraffe in heard of gazelles (well,
16 comments
Read more