This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
Published on September 26, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's claim of attempted extortion by engineers and officers working on the Dandora Stadium project has sparked a disagreement with the contractor, threatening to stall the project.
The ultra-modern sports facility, which is 90% complete, was expected to be ready by the end of October 2019. However, the project has stalled due to a disagreement between Sonko and the contractor over the cost of construction.
According to Sonko, engineers and officers working on the project had attempted to extort him, claiming that the cost of construction should be hiked by Sh100 million. However, the project manager, Steve Ragos, disputed this claim, stating that payments for government projects often delay.
The Dandora Stadium project has cost the taxpayer Sh350 million, and its completion is eagerly awaited by football administrators, players, and supporters of Kenyan Premier League sides AFC Leopards, Kariobangi Sharks, and Mathare United.
Despite the disagreement, Sonko has reiterated his plans to build more stadiums in the city, with eight modern Fifa-standard stadiums already approved or in the pipeline.
