Residents and businessmen in Kisii County have blamed Governor Simba Arati over the change of venue of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Championships from Kisii to Kisumu.
The tension comes after news of cancellation of the tournament in Kisii after Gusii Stadium which was to be used alongside Cardinal Otunga High School and Kisii School play grounds was declared unfit to host the National fete.
The stadium which has been under renovations to give it an international standard outlook for a couple years now was projected to be complete before the national championships but it has stalled.
The stadium was proven to be unfit as is not firm enough to hold the tremors of footsteps of players and fans because of the rains that made it flooded and unplayable.
The frustrated residents said that the unexpected move will kill the morale of players and fans that have planned for a long time to host the long awaited event in the region.
The businessmen who included hoteliers, transport industry and security firms expressed their horror of inconveniences and how they will balance the expenditure which they had already incurred in the purchase of meals, repair of vehicles and preparations of extra lodging rooms in readiness to serve and accommodate expected visitors to attend the ass anticipated weeklong fate.
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“I borrowed bank loan worthy Ksh180, 000 to buy extra bedding to accommodate visitors during the anticipated KSSSA national championships, but now I am left in despair on how I’m going to repay the loan,” said Javan Monari, a bar business operator in Kisii town who spoke to Education News.
At the same time, the Kisii Matatu Owners Association (KMOA) Chairman Okong’o Mose revealed that he had instructed his members to refurbish their vehicles to ensure that the visitors had top notch services during their stay in the region but now their hopes had been dodged.
“We spent good amount of money in the preparation of vehicles as well as accessories for drivers and conductors, ” he said.
By Enock Okong’o
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