Members of the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee visited the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata Constituency as part of their mandate of budget implementation oversight of agencies under the Committee's purview.

Chaired by Hon Nelson Koech (Belgut), the Committee Members engaged with Lt. Col. A K Lagat, Deputy Director accompanied by other Officers.

The Ulinzi Sports Complex, was initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on October 28, 2020. Located on 35 hectares, the complex features a state-of-the-art, multi-sport stadium with a 10,000-seat capacity, football, hockey, and rugby fields, an Olympic-size swimming pool, an eight-lane track, an indoor arena, and outdoor courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball, and handball. The facility also offers a recreational nature trail.

According to documents scrutinised by the Committee, the concept of a military sports stadium was first envisioned in 1957 during the British colonial period, with initial groundwork on the site laid by the King’s African Rifles.

However, the original stadium was limited in its functionality, with waterlogged pitches and inadequate infrastructure.

Lawmakers lauded the state of the art, multi-sport stadium, the ultra-modern football pitch, rugby pitch and an eight lane athletics track.

Despite 95% completion of works, legislators noted that the project still faces a 42% funding gap. The Committee sought clarity on the reasons for the outstanding balance, and the strategies in place to address the financial shortfall.

Lt. Col. Lagat informed the Committee that Ulinzi Complex had already hosted several local and international sporting events, including the European Union Day, Trooping of the Colour, International Handball Federation Games, FKF Premier League, Kenya Women Premier League, Athletics Track and Field events, and charity runs like the Mater Heart Run.

Committee Chair, Hon. Koech commended the quality and scope of the facility, noting, “The Ulinzi Sports Complex is not only a landmark project for the Kenya Defence Forces but a national asset. We are committed to ensuring its completion.”