Billions of shillings invested in stadium construction across the country have come under scrutiny following a new audit that highlights weak planning, procurement irregularities, and stalled works.
The report, covering Sports Kenya for the year ending June 2025, raises serious questions about value for money and the management of high-cost sports infrastructure projects.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s findings singled out several projects, with the Talanta Stadium standing out as the most expensive. The stadium’s design, construction, and equipping are valued at Sh45.8 billion, but the project has faced criticism over how the contract was awarded.
“The contract did not meet competitive procurement and direct procurement criteria,” the report states, noting that the deal was secured through direct procurement, a process that falls short of legal requirements. Auditors also flagged a funding gap of about Sh11 billion.
While the National Treasury approved Sh35 billion for the project, the contract value is Sh45.8 billion, creating what the report calls an unsupported price variation.
By June 1, 2025, the stadium was reported to be 44.54 per cent complete, yet only Sh2 billion — roughly 4.5 per cent of the contract value — had been paid. The audit warns that delayed payments could cost the government more, as the contract stipulates interest on overdue amounts at three per cent above the Central Bank of Kenya’s prevailing base lending rate.
Gathungu’s audit also questioned whether the project had proper planning before procurement. “There was no evidence that the works were budgeted for and included in the approved procurement plan,” the report states.
In addition, concerns were raised over land ownership, as management failed to provide documentation confirming that the site for Talanta Stadium is properly owned.
The report also highlighted issues beyond Talanta Stadium. Contracts worth Sh2.16 billion for work at Raila Odinga Stadium, Kamariny Stadium, and other facilities were awarded to a single contractor.
Auditors noted that Sports Kenya did not provide sufficient evidence that these contracts were competitively awarded, with key documents such as tender opening minutes and evaluation reports missing.
The audit paints a worrying picture of how major sports infrastructure projects are handled, with gaps in planning, funding, and compliance threatening both progress and public funds.
