Audit reveals millions meant for stadium projects in Nairobi could have gone down the drain

Millions of shillings meant for Nairobi’s stadium upgrades appear to have gone down the drain, with an audit report revealing incomplete projects, shoddy workmanship and contractors leaving sites unfinished.

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has flagged multiple concerns, raising questions about the management of public funds meant for the rehabilitation of stadiums, including Joe Kadenge Stadium and Dandora Stadium.

The affected facilities include Joe Kadenge Stadium (formerly City Stadium), Dandora Stadium, Woodley Stadium (formerly Joseph Kangethe), Jericho Playground and Desert Playground in California Ward.

Once a symbol of Kenya’s football culture, Joe Kadenge Stadium has not hosted a top-flight match for nearly a decade due to its deteriorating condition.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja initiated its renovation on August 10, 2023, aiming to restore its lost glory.

However, in her audit report for the year ending June 30, 2024, Gathungu reveals that the project has stalled after the contractor abandoned the site despite receiving nearly half of the contract sum.

The contract for the stadium’s rehabilitation was signed on June 29, 2023, for Sh95.9 million, with a six-month completion timeline. However, despite the Sh41 million already paid, key works remain unfinished, and there is no evidence of contract renewal.

Physical verification

A physical verification in October 2023 found that the artificial turf had not been installed, the drainage system was only partially completed and the chain-link fence was missing.

Governor Sakaja’s renovation plan envisioned a Fifa-standard pitch, a running track and 10,000-capacity stands, but progress remains stalled.

Gathungu has also flagged major irregularities and substandard work at Dandora Stadium, one of four stadiums awarded a collective Sh1 billion contract. The other stadiums — Kawangware, Ziwani, and Kangemi — had no records or status updates available for audit.

Although Sh223 million was paid for Dandora Stadium’s completion, an inspection found numerous defects. These included non-functional floodlights, a lack of internal lighting, an uneven pitch with bumps and depressions, and exposed electrical wiring that heightened risks of theft and vandalism. Additionally, the perimeter wall had visible holes, while the roofing material was substandard.

“According to the field management, rainwater frequently leaked through the roof, leading to water accumulation in the seating areas during rain,” Gathungu said.

“There were visible holes in the perimeter wall. Rather than allowing footballs to bounce back into the field upon contact, footballs created holes due to penetration. The stadium walls were constructed of soft boards, which could easily be penetrated with little force instead of durable concrete stone walls.”

No technical report

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• Auditor General Nancy Gathungu
• City Stadium
• Dandora Stadium
• nairobi stadiums
• stadium upgrades
• Joe Kadenge Stadium
• Audit reveals millions meant for stadium projects in Nairobi could have gone down the drain
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For Woodley Stadium, the audit report highlights that despite the contractor receiving Sh29.8 million out of a Sh135 million contract, an inspection and acceptance certificate dated September 29, 2023, lacked a supporting technical report.

Gathungu said this makes it impossible to verify whether the payment matched the completed work. She noted that a physical verification in October 2023 revealed that only 20 per cent of the project was completed before the contractor abandoned the site.

A new contract was later awarded on August 2, 2024, for Sh123.9 million, but the incomplete works from the previous contract were not included. The county government failed to explain how they plan to address these unfinished works.

The rehabilitation of Jericho playground was also flagged, with the full contract sum of Sh17.5 million paid despite several flaws. These included an incomplete guardhouse floor, lack of internal painting, missing glass windows, and unfinished internal wall pointing. The project was expected to take 16 weeks from July 14, 2023, but the defects remain unresolved.

At Desert Playground in California Ward, Gathungu notes that despite a contract of Sh30 million, crucial works were not completed.

The contract, signed on March 8, 2023, was expected to last six months, but a review of project records revealed several unfinished components. These include missing plastic terrace seats, a leaking roof, an unfinished football pitch, absent artificial turf and an incomplete perimeter wall.

Gathungu said the value for money and the regularity of expenditures on these projects could not be confirmed.

She called for accountability in the county’s handling of these renovations, warning that public funds must be properly managed to ensure the intended benefits reach Nairobi’s sports community.