MPs sound alarm over Sh607 million spent on three unbuilt stadiums
The planned stadiums in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret were never built, even after millions were paid out to consultants, prompting a parliamentary probe into the spending.
MPs have raised an alarm over how the government spent Sh607 million on consultancy and feasibility work for three stadiums despite not owning the land earmarked for the projects.
The planned stadiums in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret were never built, even after millions were paid out to consultants, prompting a parliamentary probe into the spending.
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Appearing before the National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Social Services and Administration on Wednesday, Sports Kenya director general Gabriel Komora admitted that the consultancy work proceeded even though title deeds were not secured.
“The cost of the project came after benchmarking similar projects to have stadiums almost equivalent to being done at Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums,” Komora said.
He explained that although the sites had been identified, the necessary documents were not available at the time.
“We have the areas where the stadias were to sit on. The titles are not available, but we had long discussions and presentations in regards to the lands in question,” Komora said, citing the Nairobi site along Ngong Road as an example.
Documents tabled in Parliament revealed that PKF led the consortium awarded the consultancy contract.
The deal involved four firms, two local and two foreign. Out of the total funds, Sh99.2 million went to feasibility studies while Sh507.6 million covered architectural designs, quantity surveying and project management.
The committee heard that although feasibility studies and detailed designs were completed, the stadium construction never began because the government shifted its attention to upgrading existing regional stadiums.
“This particular tender was abandoned after the project started concentrating on rehabilitating regional projects, and, therefore, this project was not completed. Yes, the feasibility studies and detailed designs were done, but the stadiums were not done,” Komora said.
The MPs questioned how such a huge amount could be spent on a project that lacked basic legal ownership documents.
Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina wondered how feasibility studies could have been carried out on non-existent land. “Are you telling us that the studies were being done on land that was actually not there?” he asked.
Committee vice chairperson and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said the committee would conduct a thorough investigation into the payments.
He directed that Sports Kenya submit all documents related to the project, including details of the four companies, their addresses, contract terms, feasibility reports, environmental assessments and final designs.
“DG, please help this committee understand how it will explain to Parliament how Sh607.6 million was paid for a project that did not take off. Is it the department's intention to make sure that the cost of the feasibility study is increased? How do you explain this?” Amisi posed.
The stalled stadiums were initially projected to cost Sh42 billion. However, the government abandoned the plan after spending heavily on preliminary work, raising questions about accountability and planning in large infrastructure projects.
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