Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya officially broke ground for the construction of a modern sports academy at Taru Secondary School in Mackinnon Ward, Samburu Sub-county, Kwale County.
The Taru Sports Academy will feature multiple sporting disciplines including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, and netball. It will also be equipped with modern changing rooms for both boys and girls.
“This is an integrated project that will cost the government KSh 55 million,” said Mvurya, noting that construction is expected to take five months, barring any unforeseen delays.
The Taru academy is part of a broader national initiative to construct 37 sports academies across the country at a total cost of KSh 1.7 billion.
“We’ve started in Taru. Tomorrow (Thursday) we’ll be in Matuga, and next week we head to the Rift Valley. This rollout will continue until we cover all the 37 sub-counties under the first phase,” Mvurya added.
The main goal of the academies is to identify and nurture grassroots talent, and provide exposure at both national and international levels.
“In the past, such initiatives were only found in major cities. Today, this project will transform the lives of youth at the grassroots,” he said.
Mvurya also announced that the national government, in partnership with the French government, will construct a modern sports complex in Kanana, Lunga Lunga Constituency, Kwale County, and another in Bububu, Likoni, in Mombasa County.
These initiatives align with President William Ruto’s manifesto, which prioritizes identifying, nurturing, and commercializing talent from the grassroots.
“Sports is a global industry with the potential to transform economies. We must revive and invest in the talents of our youth,” said Mvurya.
He further highlighted the transformation of Kasarani Stadium into a modern sports complex that now meets global standards, and revealed that a new 60,000-seat stadium is also under construction and expected to be completed by December.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani and Kinango MP Gonzi Rai also pledged their full support for sports development in Kwale County.