Kenya’s Senate is intensifying scrutiny over Talanta Stadium after a Sh10.85 billion cost overrun raised questions about financial management, procurement practices, and whether taxpayers are getting full value from the project.
Senators have formally written to Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya requesting a thorough explanation on the funding gaps and adherence to legal procedures.
The request comes from the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, which highlighted discrepancies in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 2025. The report flagged missing documentation for cost variations, potential bypassing of procurement laws, and insufficient contract oversight.
Talanta Stadium, being built at the Jamhuri Sports Complex in Nairobi, will seat 60,000 spectators and is a flagship venue for Kenya’s co-hosting of AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Construction, which started in March 2024, is managed by China Road and Bridge Corporation with supervision from the Kenya Defence Forces Engineering Department.
“The Committee is concerned about the variation of approximately Sh10.85 billion which has not been supported by adequate documentation,” the committee said, quoting the Auditor General’s findings.
The audit further showed that the contract was awarded through direct procurement, avoiding open tendering, and did not receive clearance from the Attorney General, despite exceeding Sh5 billion.
“We request your office to provide a comprehensive response addressing the procurement process, cost variations, financing structure, and implementation status of the Talanta Stadium project,” said Senator Eddy Oketch, committee chair.
Lawmakers also seek clarity on the stadium’s financing, reportedly structured around a securitised infrastructure bond backed by the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, along with a Build-Operate-Transfer framework akin to the Nairobi Expressway project.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who raised the issue on the Senate floor, called for full transparency.
“The public deserves a clear breakdown of how this massive investment is being utilised and whether all legal procedures were followed,” he said.
Government reports indicate the stadium was about 85 per cent complete as of January 2026. Comparisons with global projects like the Emirates Stadium in the UK and the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire, both completed through competitive procurement, have fueled debate about Kenya’s adherence to international best practices.
“The emerging issues raise fundamental questions about compliance, fiscal responsibility and institutional oversight in major infrastructure projects,” the committee said. It warned that gaps in procurement, contract approvals, and coordination among agencies could expose the government to financial risks and undermine public confidence.
The Sports Ministry has been given two weeks to submit a detailed report addressing all concerns.
On Thursday, senators toured Talanta Stadium to assess progress and readiness for next year’s tournament. Led by Senator Oketch, they reviewed completed work, timelines, and the value for money delivered.
He noted that while initial plans targeted May completion, July now appears more realistic.
“We are very keen on the value for money that this stadium may have delivered. We are also keen on ensuring that the procurement process was conducted in the right way,” Senator Oketch said.
“We have inspected the stadium, and we think it is fairly well done so far. However, we need to closely scrutinize the issues of procurement and value for money.”
The inspection followed complaints from senators over CS Mvurya’s absence in earlier meetings, raising concerns about the urgency of addressing the issues.
Talanta Stadium remains central to Kenya’s AFCON 2027 preparations, with timely completion seen as essential for hosting matches successfully and leaving a lasting legacy in sports infrastructure.