The venue for a football tournament organised by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a had to be changed in the eleventh hour after unknown people emptied heaps of manure at the Thika Municipal Stadium.
Both Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and the MP later engaged in a blame game over the dung-spewing incident which took place on Saturday night, hours before the tournament was to take place the following day, Sunday March 31.
Organisers of Alice Ng’ang’a football competition were forced to move the venue to the Thika High School Chapel grounds after they found at least five huge heaps of cow dung at the stadium and the goal posts missing.
Apart from a Sunday service that was ongoing within the stadium grounds in the morning, the venue remained closed and no cars were allowed inside.
This sets the stage for a renewed political showdown between Governor Wamatangi and MP Ng’ang’a who has declared her interest in the governor’s seat come the 2027 elections.
The MP’s supporters did not take the closure of the venue kindly, accusing the county government of being malicious and attempting to sabotage the event.
“This is backward politics which has been overtaken by time. How come the county leadership found it imperative to pour cow dung inside the stadium over the weekend and at night?” Posed Simon Muturi, an ally of Ng’ang’a. “This is pure malice.”
Despite the setback, the tournament went on as scheduled at the new venue where the chief guest was Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
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The CS and the MP were among hundreds of spectators of the final football clash between Home Boys FC and Ndula FC and they expressed their displeasure over the stadium closure. Home Boyz FC edged out Ndula FC on penalties with a 5-4 win after the match ended barren draw.
However, Wamatangi has already announced plans to renovate the stadium and some construction materials are already on site. There is also a poster at the entrance to that effect.
In a statement posted at the Kiambu County Government Facebook wall, the Governor appeared to distance his administration from the incident and called on Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers to probe the matter.
“The stadium has been closed for renovation since January and for three months now it has been unavailable for any activities.
“The County Government invites the DCI to investigate these despicable actions which can only be attributed to malice, to pursue petty political conflicts…,” read the statement.
However, speaking after the tournament, Ng’ang’a reiterated her determination to unseat Wamatangi as the county boss, warning him not to undermine or underestimate her.
“I am telling the Governor not to belittle me. I am good to tackle him head-on and I won’t be intimidated,” said the legislator who was later joined at the event by her Juja counterpart George Koimburi and some members of the County Assembly.
The lawmaker pledged to organise football matches across the county in an effort to lure the youth from wayward behaviour including drunkenness and drug abuse.
Koimburi pledged to support Ng’ang’a in her ambition to become governor and also the sports activities.
He also asked Wamatangi to respect other elected leaders as well as those who voted for them.
Organised and funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Thika under the stewardship of the area Member of Parliament Alice Ng’ang’a, the event aims to empower grassroot initiatives in nurturing talent.
MP Ng’ang’a revealed that a formidable team will be selected from various team to form a strong Thika Football Club, which will represent the vast constituency at national level.
By Kamau Njoroge
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