Billions spent, little progress: MPs urge forensic audit on stalled stadium projects

Lawmakers have demanded an investigation into the delay of stadium projects funded by Sports Kenya and the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF).

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has been directed to conduct a forensic audit into the use of funds allocated to the projects, which have seen little progress despite significant investments.

The directive follows concerns raised over Sh3.78 billion spent on consultancy services for Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) stadium feasibility studies and designs, with minimal results reported.

In a report presented to the National Assembly by the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, chaired by Webuye West MP Daniel Wanyama, concerns were raised over exorbitant spending on stalled projects. These include seven regional stadiums —Ruring’u, Wote, Kinoru, Kirubia, Marsabit, Kamariny, and Kipchoge Keino (Phase I) — which remain incomplete years after they were initiated in the 2016/2017 financial year.

The renovation of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for instance, is only 20 per cent complete, even though Sh3.5 billion has already been spent on the project.

This is even as Kenya is set to co-host the Afcon 2027 tournament with Uganda and Tanzania, prompting lawmakers to urge the State Department of Sports and the Ministry of Defence to expedite renovations to ensure the stadium meets international standards in time for the event.

The report also highlights delays in the construction of Bukhungu, Masinde Muliro, and Kiprugut Chumo stadiums, projects which began in the 2023/2024 financial year but have seen little progress.

“The Office of the Auditor General should conduct a forensic audit within six months after the adoption of this report, pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Public Audit Act, 2015, on all the stadia being implemented by Sports Kenya and SASDF. This will establish fraud, corruption, or other financial improprieties due to delays in completion and exorbitant funding of the projects,” the committee said.

The report comes a month after Sports and Culture Principal Secretary Peter Tum disclosed to the committee that Sh1 billion had been spent on consultancy for Afcon stadiums and another Sh1.5 billion on feasibility studies and topographical services for the construction of constituency sports academies.

However, the report notes that only two per cent of the Constituency Sports Academies project has been completed, despite Sh1.5 billion being spent on designs and surveys. It also reveals that the Sh424 million allocated for Phase 1B of the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) hostel project has only resulted in 85 per cent completion of construction and access gate facilities.

In addition, Talanta Sports City, under the main contractor, remains 20 per cent complete despite Sh45 million being spent, while an ICT automation system for sports registration, procured at a cost of Sh115.2 million, is similarly at 20 per cent completion.

“The State Department should prioritise funding for the Sports Registrar through the SASDF to complete the automation system. This will ensure seamless registration of sports persons and organisations, addressing gaps caused by unlicensed personnel who contribute to doping in the sports industry,” the report says.

Lawmakers have given the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund one month to provide a detailed report on the disbursement of Sh14.43 billion collected during the 2023/2024 financial year.

They emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in completing the projects ahead of Afcon 2027.