Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has urged opposition leaders not to shy away from acknowledging President William Ruto’s commitment to national development, citing the successful completion of Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County as a shining example of his administration’s delivery record.
Speaking during the official handover of the 10,000-seater facility to the National Events Planning Committee through Sports Kenya, CS Mvurya said the government’s focus on equitable development should transcend political lines.
“Development has no political boundaries. What we are witnessing here in Kitui is the President’s commitment to ensure that every corner of this country benefits from government projects. Even the opposition should not shy away from showering praise where it is due,” Mvurya said.
The CS, who has inspected the project five times since construction began in June, lauded Governor Julius Malombe for his cooperation with the national government, saying the partnership was crucial to the stadium’s successful completion.
The Ithookwe Stadium, now 98 percent complete, will host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, positioning Kitui as a key beneficiary of the government’s regional development agenda. The remaining works — including the installation of gates and minor drainage adjustments — are expected to be completed within days.
Governor Malombe welcomed the President’s decision to host a national celebration in Kitui, terming it a historic moment for the region and a strong gesture of inclusivity.
“We thank President Ruto and his administration for this transformative project. Hosting Mashujaa Day here not only puts Kitui on the national map but also boosts our local economy and infrastructure,” he said.
Mvurya also used the occasion to highlight President Ruto’s wider vision for sports infrastructure, announcing that Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi will be completed by December, ahead of the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
“The President’s focus on investing in sports facilities is deliberate — to nurture talent, promote unity, and create opportunities for young people. After Kitui, the next big project is Talanta Stadium, which will host Jamhuri Day this year,” Mvurya noted.
He added that the Kitui Airstrip upgrade, new access roads by KURA, and the State Lodge are part of an integrated plan to open up the region for business, tourism, and investment.
“This is Kitui’s time. We are not just celebrating heroes — we are celebrating transformation. And that is the President’s vision at work,” the CS said.
Political observers have noted that the President’s decision to hold Mashujaa Day in Kitui — a region traditionally aligned with the opposition — is a strategic show of inclusivity and development-based politics aimed at bridging regional divides.
With preparations in top gear, Kitui now braces for a historic Mashujaa Day celebration that will not only honor national heroes but also mark a new chapter of unity and progress in Kenya’s development story.
