Inside Raila Odinga’s Plan for Sports Development in Kenya if Elected President in August Polls

• Leading Kenyan Presidential contender Raila Odinga has promised to build 50 multisport facilities if elected in the August General election
• President Uhuru Kenyatta's successor will have a lot on his in-tray with Kenya currently banned by the world governing body of football FIFA and the country having no approved stadia
• Odinga is a fan of English Premier League club Arsenal and record Kenya champions Gor Mahia and attends football matches from time to time

Kenyans will be heading to the General Elections on August 9th to elect a new President. President Uhuru Kenyatta will be retiring after a two-five term and a mixed return of fortunes as far as sports development is concerned.

Pundits have labelled the August duel as a two-horse race between former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who will be making his fifth stab at the presidency and Deputy President William Ruto. Odinga will be vying on an Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition Party while Ruto will be using his United Democratic Alliance Party.

Mind-boggling photos of cattle grazing on recently constructed astroturf in Ghana causes stir on social media

Football

Whilst Ruto is yet to officially unveil his manifesto, Odinga unveiled his in a ceremony held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday. He was accompanied by the top brass of the party's leadership, including his running mate Martha Karua.

In the 84-page document, Odinga has promised to initiate the building of 50 mini-multisport facilities in the country. The veteran politician has also promised to ensure that sports equipment is zero-rated.

Odinga is a self-declared lover of football and has been regularly seen at stadia in the country during Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars matches. It will be interesting to note how his government if elected, will ensure that the country has approved stadia. Kenya at the moment doesn't have any grounds that are approved by the Confederation of African Football.

Pundits have been however quick to cast doubts into Odinga's zealous plan. Sports Journalist Bonface Osano quipped:

Eliud Kipchoge partners with David Beckham, Aubameyang and Yemi Alade in anti malaria campaign

Athletics

Azimio La Umoja Manifesto on Sports.

Zero-rating sports equipment is eye-catching. Quality sports equipment is d*** expensive in this country. Makes running sports orgs more expensive. On the 50 mini multisport facilities, well, well, well...

Whoever wins the August polls, youths and sportspeople will be looking up to them for guidance and government goodwill in a country where despite the enormous amount of sports talent, the sports sector continues to be maligned.

Ferdinand Omanyala is keen on breaking Usain Bolt's record

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has exuded confidence that he can shatter Usain Bolt's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds.

Bolt, a retired Jamaican sprinter set the record back in August 2009 at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin.

American sprinter Christian Coleman is the only athlete who has come closest to shattering Bolt's record after he posted 9.76 seconds in 2019.