Dj Vnyash
Aquatics Kenya has put forward a bid to host the first-ever Africa Aquatics Masters Meet and the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Swimming Championships. If successful, these events could take place in Machakos, where a new facility is currently under construction.
The pool’s construction is already underway, with site preparations in progress. The facility is being designed with high-end features, including a warm-up pool, touchpads, System 7 timing technology, and a digital scoreboard—crucial elements for hosting world-class competitions.
Beyond swimming, the expansive facility aims to support a wide array of sports, making it a versatile hub for athletic activities.
Aquatics Kenya Secretary General Collins Marigiri highlighted the facility’s importance for sports and youth empowerment. He expressed his pleasure in seeing Machakos County prioritizing aquatic sports and youth development and emphasized the federation’s commitment to working with the county government to ensure the facility meets World Aquatics standards. Marigiri believes this will position the venue as a leading location for hosting national and international events.
An Olympic-sized indoor pool in Machakos is more than just an infrastructure achievement. Marigiri sees it as a symbol of the county’s ambition to become a sporting hub. As the first of its kind in the region, the pool is expected to attract both local and international attention, elevating the standards of aquatic sports in Kenya.
Peter Mwangangi, Chairperson of Machakos Aquatics, stressed the broader vision for the facility, noting the increasing significance of swimming in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). With swimming now a mandatory subject in the CBC, Mwangangi believes it is vital for counties to invest in standardized pools. He hopes this facility will set the standard and inspire others to provide students with the resources needed to excel in aquatics.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti hailed the project as a victory not only for Machakos but for the entire country, as it makes swimming more accessible and competitive. She urged county governments to prioritize sports development to create opportunities for youth and elevate Kenya’s status on the global sports stage.
