Meru set to host inter-county games

Nairobi City County Tag of war team players pull against Laikipia County players during last day of the 4th edition of Inter-County games at in Thika, Kiambu. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Meru County will host the 10th annual Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (Kicosca) games next month.

Kicosca chairman John Ang'awa said around 10, 000 participants drawn from at least 40 of the 47 counties.

While handing over the Kicosca chain of command to representatives of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Ang'awa said the 30, 000-seater Kinoru stadium, Kaaga primary and other grounds are set to host some of the games including soccer and other ball games, athletics, racket games and chess.

Mr Ang'awa said after a successful event in Kisumu they were looking forward to Meru staging a show to match or better it.

"Kicosca brings counties staff together to actually unwind from their tedious work they undertake back in their counties. It also gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills," he said.

He said such events have seen some of the county staff participate and play national teams in various sports in the past.

"They want to display their skills for the younger staff to appreciate and potentially take up," Ang'awa said, pointing to famed former Kenyan striker Peter Dawo, a Kisumu staffer, as an example.

He added, "Kicosca helps in bringing national cohesion and unity. When we all interact as staff, regardless of our religious and political and working as a team, we foster unity".

Ang'awa said these days when one moves around Kenya they will find Luos or people from Coast wearing Maasai attire or people from Meru eating fish vey happily and expertly, yet some people thought fish is for Luos only or shuka's for the Maasai's.

He said several counties had shown interest to host the games but after a rigorous exercise, Meru was picked to host this year's edition.