CS Murkomen faces major test as Auditor General’s report exposes corruption in the Ministry of Sports

Newly-appointed Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has been vocal about implementing measures to ensure that government officials under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports adhere to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. During his vetting and in several statements afterwards, the former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator committed to overhauling the leadership of several troubled sports federations, aiming to bring in new officials with fresh and vibrant ideas.

However, as CS Murkomen works to fulfill these promises, he now faces even greater scrutiny following a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. The report paints a troubling picture of the misuse of taxpayers’ money by agencies and departments under the Ministry for the financial year 2022/23, a period when former Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba was the Cabinet Secretary.

The report highlights serious issues, particularly in the construction of stadiums under Sports Kenya, and the failure of the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund (SASDF) to account for the proper use of funds during the audited period.

With Kenya preparing to co-host the 2027 African Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda, the lack of sufficient stadiums for international football matches has forced the national team, Harambee Stars, to play recent home matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers abroad. According to the Auditor General’s report, this problem could have been avoided if funds allocated for the construction of three stadiums across the country had been used appropriately.

The youth are integral in Kenya's momentous journey to socio-economic transformation.

As Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, I will work closely with the State Departments and Agencies in the Ministry and other key stakeholders to ensure our youth… pic.twitter.com/3Xe8eEN0Ky

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 14, 2024

Gathungu revealed that initial contracts for the construction of Jamhuri Posta Grounds in Nairobi County, Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, and Wanguru Stadium in Kirinyaga County were increased without supporting approval documents. Additional contracts for the same projects were awarded to the same contractors through direct procurement, a method used without justification.

For example, the contract for Kirigiti Stadium increased by 25%, from SH 596,514,670 to SH 745,264,822, with an additional contract of SH 345,766,644 awarded later. This brought the total cost to SH 1,091,031,466. However, a physical inspection by the Auditor General on September 11, 2023, found that only Phase One of the project was completed, with Phase Two stalled due to non-payment to the contractor, and no explanation was provided.

Similarly, the construction of Jamhuri Posta Grounds involved three contracts worth SH 1,190,971,897. Two of these, totaling SH 581,361,187, were awarded through direct procurement without justification. The Auditor General found that the costs exceeded the engineer’s valuations by SH 25,000,000 and SH 32,087,272, respectively. As of September 11, 2023, electricity had not been connected to the floodlights, and the project had not been handed over for public use.

In the case of Wanguru Stadium, two contracts totaling SH 696,473,751 were awarded. The initial contract was increased by SH 76,553,751, and the second contract was also awarded through direct procurement without justification.

In all three cases, the use of direct procurement did not meet legal requirements, leading the Auditor General to question the value for money and the legality of the expenditures.

Further issues were uncovered regarding the misuse of funds by the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund (SASDF). The Auditor General raised concerns about SH 1,351,333,782 disbursed to the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya for the 2023 Safari Rally Championship. The report questioned the propriety, completeness, and accuracy of expenditures such as:

1. SH 24,419,290 on land access fees.
2. SH 13,386,690 paid to a supplier for consultancy services and rally car spares.
3. SH 20,131,900 on pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals.
4. SH 28,580,000 on fuel allowances for staff and volunteers at SH 20,000 per day.
5. SH 568,500 on airtime for 63 staff members.
6. SH 12,141,944 on insurance renewals.
7. SH 9,008,003 on earthworks at the Kasarani Super Special Stage.
8. SH 256,170,156 on pending bills, with unapproved overspending of the same amount.

Gathungu also highlighted that SH 1,264,591,806 disbursed by SASDF to the Ministry of Health for constructing and equipping eight hospitals could not be accounted for. Returns to confirm the status and value of the works were not provided for audit verification.

Additionally, out of a budget of SH 7,951,585,007 for transfers to government agencies and sports organizations, SH 6,362,344,334 was disbursed, but only SH 2,673,973,071 was accounted for, leaving an unexplained variance of SH 3,688,371,263. The Auditor General also noted that SH 324,648,867 disbursed to promote arts was not supported with expenditure returns, casting doubt on the accuracy of these expenditures.

From the same budget, SH 4,107,710 was spent on the expansion of the Kirigiti Shooting Range for the 2023 International Defensive Pistol Association-Africa (IDPA) Africa Championship. However, the absence of tender evaluation documents cast further doubts on the propriety of this expenditure.

The Auditor General’s report also uncovered similar issues in the 2022-23 Financial Statements of departments under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, where Murkomen previously served as CS. These findings present a significant challenge to Murkomen’s commitment to ensuring that funds meant for the growth and development of sports in Kenya are used prudently.