Ruring’u Stadium project opens hands-on training opportunities for TVET students

Chege, a building and construction graduate, joined the project as an intern. He is now working as an operator and says the experience has expanded his construction skills.

“I came here to gain experience. Now I have many skills and can do different types of building work,” he says.

Chege says the project has provided opportunities for TVET students to undertake attachments and internships, giving them exposure to construction work. He says students can also develop deeper skills in areas where they want to specialise.

His experience shows how public infrastructure projects can provide pathways from technical training to employment.

The Ruring’u Stadium project is providing employment to local residents as construction advances.

Warrant Officer 1 Samuel Nderitu Karioki, the Kenya Defence Forces Project Clerk of Works, says the project is currently about 60 per cent complete and is being implemented across four spectator pavilions.

The Western Pavilion, which will serve as the VVIP pavilion, has completed major structural works, including terraces, partitioning and plastering. Electrical works are about 70 per cent complete, while plumbing and water services are about 65 per cent complete.

“Works on the Eastern Pavilion have progressed through formwork, reinforcement and propping, while the Northern Pavilion is undergoing formwork and terrace beam reinforcement. The Southern Pavilion has columns in place, with further terrace works pending,” he adds.

Karioki says construction is being undertaken concurrently across the pavilions to save time and support delivery within the expected timelines.

The project scope has also been revised, with the stadium design changed from an initial capacity of about 8,000 people to approximately 14,050 seated spectators.

Other works include the installation of a rollable athletics track, construction of parking areas, new access gates and improvement of the drainage system.

Karioki says the changes to the athletics track are intended to ensure the surface can be rolled away and protected from local weather conditions when not in use.

The project is also supporting local livelihoods locally. Karioki says the site currently engages up to about 120 workers, depending on the stage of works, with the workforce sometimes standing at about 60.

Local food vendors are also benefiting by supplying meals to workers at the site.

Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina Mathenge says the stadium was first conceptualised nine years ago, with Sh370 million guaranteed through the Sports Fund. He says the funds had been exhausted by 2022, while the works delivered fell below the original scope.

The project was subsequently revised and new financing secured, with the upgraded facility expected to create opportunities for young people, workers and businesses in Ruring’u.