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• Frank Rotich 22 days ago

MPs question rising cost of Talanta City Stadium project

Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the transfer of the Talanta City Sports Stadium construction project from Sports Kenya to the Ministry of Defence and the sharp increase in its cost.

The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) is now demanding answers on how the project’s cost rose by Sh10.8 billion—from the initial Sh35 billion approved by the National Treasury to Sh45.8 billion.

The committee, chaired by Emmanuel Wangwe, questioned officials from Sports Kenya during a meeting where Director General Timothy Kilimo appeared to respond to audit queries.

Lawmakers said it was unacceptable that the Defence Ministry handled procurement for the project even though Sports Kenya is the body mandated to construct and manage national stadiums.

Wangwe said the committee wants full details of the agreement between the government and the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya.

“We want all the documents. We want to see the contract between China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Ministry of Defence. We also want to understand why the price increased and what relationship exists between Sports Kenya and the Ministry of Defence,” Wangwe told the committee.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who is the committee’s vice chairperson, also questioned the legal framework that allowed the Defence Ministry to take over the project and its finances.

Amisi suggested that the committee hold a joint meeting with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to further investigate the matter since the accounts of the Defence Ministry are examined by that committee.

“I feel for you because this situation is very difficult. How does money come to Sports Kenya and then suddenly go to the Ministry of Defence? Our financial system does not work like that,” Amisi said.

According to the Auditor-General’s report, financial records show a work-in-progress balance of Sh12 billion, which includes Sh2 billion transferred to the Defence Ministry for the construction of the Talanta City Stadium.

However, Kilimo told MPs that Sports Kenya did not take part in the procurement process.

“We did not have a role in procurement. We are not the procuring entity for Talanta Stadium. That responsibility was transferred to the Ministry,” he said.

Kilimo also said a proposal to rename the facility to Raila Amollo Odinga International Sports Stadium is still under consideration since the stadium is still under construction.

Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino called for a forensic audit to determine how the procurement process was conducted.

“This is unacceptable. I have never seen something like this before. There must be proper documentation and accountability when public money is moved,” Owino said.

The audit report shows that the tender to design, build and equip the 60,000-seat Talanta City Stadium—set to become Kenya’s largest football stadium—was awarded to China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya at a cost of Sh45.8 billion.

However, the National Treasury had only approved funding of Sh35 billion to be paid over six years through the Sports and Arts Social Development Fund. This created a price difference of Sh10.8 billion that auditors say has not been properly explained.

The report also raised concerns that clearance from the Office of the Attorney General of Kenya may not have been obtained before the contract was awarded.

As of June 1, 2025, the project was reported to be 44.5 percent complete with about 15 months left to the expected completion date. Payments made to the contractor at that time stood at Sh2 billion, which is about 4.5 percent of the total contract value.

The contract also states that delayed payments would attract interest at three percent above the average lending rate set by the Central Bank of Kenya, which could lead to additional project costs.

Auditors further noted that there was no clear evidence showing that the project had been included in an approved procurement plan as required by law.

The committee says it will continue investigating the matter to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.