High Court stops Sh220 million payment for 2018 CHAN contract
The works were meant to upgrade facilities ahead of the 2018 CHAN tournament, which was to be hosted by Kenya but was later moved to Morocco due to delays and concerns about preparedness.
The High Court has issued temporary orders restraining the Ministry of Sports and its agents from making payments or implementing a controversial multi-million shilling contract linked to preparations for the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).
Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna of the Milimani Anticorruption Court granted the injunction in a case filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) against Kirimi Peter Kaberia, John Ruga, and five others.
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In her ruling, Justice Njuguna restrained the company, Gregori International and the interested party, the PS State Department of Sports, from paying the contract price of Sh220 million or taking further steps to implement the agreement for a period of 14 days.
The judge directed that the respondents be served with the application and set the matter for mention on August 12, 2025, before a Duty Judge for further directions.
The Commission moved to court on July 30, 2025, seeking urgent orders to stop any further execution of the contract, arguing that the deal was tainted by irregularities and possible corruption.
The disputed Sh1 billion contract, entered into on September 14, 2017, under Tender No. MOSCA/CHAN/002/2017-2018, involved design, mobilisation, grass removal, irrigation, levelling, soil preparation, fertilisation, and installation of Bermuda/Paspalum grass, alongside the provision of sports equipment in five stadia and 10 training centres across the country.
The works were meant to upgrade facilities ahead of the 2018 CHAN tournament, which was to be hosted by Kenya but was later moved to Morocco due to delays and concerns about preparedness.
The orders were sought through an affidavit filed by EACC lawyer Evans Rono, who argued that public funds risked being lost if payments were allowed to proceed before the matter was fully heard.
The case highlights yet another legal battle stemming from Kenya's troubled CHAN 2018 preparations, which have long been marred by allegations of corruption, inflated contracts, and poor accountability.
The EACC maintains that the tender process violated provisions of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The ruling temporarily halts any financial dealings on the project as the court prepares to hear the substantive issues raised by the anti-graft agency.
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