The County Government of Uasin Gishu is seeking to strengthen its long-standing sister-city partnership with Minneapolis, USA, as part of efforts to expand opportunities in sports, recreation and public space development.
Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, held discussions with officials from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Loppet Foundation, led by Superintendent Al Bangoura, aimed at deepening cooperation between the two partners and identifying new areas of collaboration.
The governor noted that the relationship between Uasin Gishu and Minneapolis has been built on a strong foundation spanning more than 25 years, creating a platform for continued engagement and mutual growth.
Speaking after the meeting, Bii said the discussions focused on enhancing the existing partnership and exploring initiatives that can benefit residents of both regions.
“As the City of Champions, Uasin Gishu has a proud sporting heritage and a growing ambition to harness sports, recreation and our public spaces to create opportunities for our people,” the governor said.
Importance of Uasin Gishu-Minneapolis partnership
Uasin Gishu, home to many of Kenya’s world-renowned athletes, has increasingly positioned sports as a key driver of economic and social development. County leaders view investments in recreation infrastructure and public spaces as critical in promoting youth empowerment, talent development and community well-being.
The engagement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Loppet Foundation is expected to open new avenues for knowledge exchange, capacity building and collaboration in areas related to sports development, park management and recreational programming.
The renewed commitment underscores the enduring ties between the two sister cities and highlights a shared vision of leveraging sports and community spaces to improve the quality of life for residents while creating new opportunities for growth and development.
