KICOSCA Launched With Song, Dance And Colour, Booming Business In Thika.
Pomp and colour marked the opening of the 4th edition
of the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Culture Association (KICOSCA) and County
Assembly Sports Association (CASA) games slated for August 14-21 2016 in Kiambu
County which were flagged off by the host Governor William Kabogo and his
Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony.
As it is the norm, the event saw Kabogo lead guests and
participants to a grand match into the Thika Sub-County Stadium before
inspecting a guard of honour mounted by his county askaris, signifying the
official launch of the highly hyped event which has attracted a total of 32
teams from all over the country.
Participants and spectators who had begun arriving in the
town late last week painting it red with the carnival atmosphere.
The event, free for the public, saw spectacular performance
of various entertainment groups who welcomed the tens of thousands the 2016
fete, virtually bringing the whole arena on fire.
Immediately after the launch, the crowd was treated to a
tag-of-war contest between Nairobi and Vihiga Counties which was won the former.
Kiambu County Assembly then plunged themselves to the field to settle scores
with Machakos MCAs in football where the hosts beat their counterparts 5-1.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, welcomed all
guests to Thika and Kiambu County in general urging them to enjoy the
hospitality of the host residents as they enjoyed the great tourist attraction
sits the county had to offer. He added that the games were a golden opportunity
to nurture national cohesion and a chance to make business.
“These games offer a very good opportunity to use devolution
in the fight against tribalism as it has brought together people from all over
Kenya to mingle and make new friends. As for our hosts, this is a chance to
make business and create more jobs for their fellow neighbours,” said Kabogo.
Kabogo promised all those from his county who will be crowned
champions that his government will offer them automatic promotions in their job
groups.
His counterpart from Kericho supported his sentiments adding
that the Thika fete was well organised and promised to be one of the best ever
the launch of the first edition. He said that he felt quite at home in Thika as
the people were friendly and hospitable.
Kiambu County Commissioner Alex Ole Nkoyo assured the
participants, visitors and residents of their security over the whole period of
the games.
According of the chairman KICOSCA Mr. Samson Changwony, this
year’s competition had the highest number of participants (32 teams) with
participation from the County Executives, County Assemblies, LAPFUND as well as
the Senate.
“The MCAs will be on stage in Mang’u High School on
Wednesday for the catwalk, cultural wear, smart wear and sportswear
competition, which is a first this time,” said Changwony.
His Secretary General Mr. Muraya Kabiri said that five new
counties, namely; Baringo, West Pokot, Nyamira, Siaya and Embu were
participating for the first time this year.
“Otherwise, we do not have any representation from the
former North Eastern Province. Turkana, Marsabit and Tana River Counties are
here as observers,” said Kabiri.
Traders we spoke express optimism with majority of them
recording good sales over the last two days. The hoped things improved as days
went by and had all the praise for the organisers of these games plus the
security personnel from Thika Sub-County whom they said had done a great job in
guaranteeing their security and that of the visitors.
The annual event,
which includes sports such as ajua, darts, table tennis, athletics, football,
netball, tug of war (men and women), volley ball, badminton, pool, squash,
basketball, music set-pieces and traditional dances, borrowed songs and
cultural dances, is geared towards creating awareness to thus creating better
understanding among counties.
They are being held at the Thika Stadium, Thika High School,
Gretsa University, St. Lukes Cravers Hotel, Chania High, Chania Girls, Thika
Technical and Thika Community Hall.
Kiambu takes the mantle from Uasin Gishu County who hosted
the games last year. These games bring together staff and members from various
counties in the country. The games will serve as trials for the East Africa
Local Authorities Sports and Cultural Association (EALASKA) that are scheduled
for December 2016 in Machakos County.
Among those who graced the occasion include, deputy
governors Gerald Gakuhi Githinji (Kiambu) and Gakure Monyo (Murang’a).
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