MPs probe Sports Kenya over mismanagement of billions in stadium projects
Sports Kenya CEO Gabriel Komora faced tough questioning as MPs sought answers on why funds meant for taxpayers were unaccounted for and whether any public money had been misused.
Sports Kenya is under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement of billions of shillings in stadium projects and sporting events, with MPs demanding answers over unexplained cost escalations and missing financial records.
In a session on Tuesday, an inquiry by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) exposed ballooning costs across multiple stadium projects, with millions of shillings unaccounted for and some funds potentially misappropriated.
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Sports Kenya CEO Gabriel Komora faced tough questioning as MPs sought answers on why funds meant for taxpayers were unaccounted for and whether any public money had been misused.
“We are witnessing deliberate financial mismanagement. Taxpayers’ money cannot just disappear without accountability,” Committee Vice Chairperson Caleb Amisi said.
The inquiry revealed that several facilities, including Kinoru Stadium, saw costs jump from Sh109 million to Sh355 million, leaving Sh246 million unaccounted for.
Regional stadiums also showed similar discrepancies. Seven county stadiums, budgeted at Sh2.854 billion, later appeared as eight projects costing Sh2.9 billion, despite an ongoing Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigation. MPs questioned how an eighth stadium was added and why expenses continued to rise.
“The pattern of missing documentation, escalating costs and unrefunded advances points to systemic failures,” Ndhiwa Constituency MP Martin Owino said.
The committee also criticised Sports Kenya for paying Sh30 million to consultants for Public-Private Partnership stadium models that were later shelved. MPs condemned the wasteful expenditure on projects that never materialised.
Komora told the committee that original financial records were surrendered to the EACC and never returned, forcing reliance on certified copies. But MPs dismissed his explanation, insisting the watchdog must return the documents.
The probe further revealed irregular payments linked to the World U18 Athletics Championships. Sports Kenya reportedly spent Sh382 million, but the Ministry of Sports refunded only Sh274.8 million, leaving Sh47.39 million outstanding. An additional Sh73 million in interest certificates remains unpaid.
Payments of Sh48 million sent to Athletics Kenya officials also lacked supporting documentation. Attempts to shift responsibility to the Local Organising Committee were also dismissed.
“If Sports Kenya paid out the money, it must account for it under the Public Finance Management Act,” Amisi said.
Lawmakers warned of systemic corruption and pledged continued oversight.
“There was significant corruption. The system was weak and open to abuse,” Ainamoi Constituency MP Benjamin Langat said.
The committee said it will summon officials from the Ministries of Sports and Defence, EACC personnel and former Sports Kenya leaders as part of the ongoing investigation.
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