This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
Published on October 27, 2019
Government officials are set to inspect 11 stadiums across the country to determine if the work done is commensurate to the amount taxpayers have paid.
The move comes after it emerged that despite paying over Sh1.5 billion for upgrading of stadiums, the work done does not correspond to the actual work on the ground.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had promised to construct five state-of-the-art stadiums in Kisumu, Mombasa, Garissa, Nakuru, and Eldoret in 2013.
Seven regional stadiums were also to be upgraded last year in preparation to host the African Nations Championship (Chan).
However, the upgrade work has stalled, with contractors abandoning sites due to pending bills amounting to Sh898 million.
According to documents presented before the National Assembly committee on sports, the works on various stadiums have stalled, with some contractors abandoning sites.
For instance, Chuka stadium in Tharaka Nithi County has seen taxpayers pay Sh119 million, with a further Sh130.4 million needed for its completion.
Similarly, Karatu Stadium in Kiambu County is only 30 percent done, with Sh62 million already paid to the contractor and a further Sh198 million needed for its completion.
Director General for Sports Kenya Pius Meto told MPs that he has already received six officers from the ministry of public works that will audit all the works done in the stadiums and come up with a comprehensive report.
“The ministry has already given me six technical experts that will be going to the ground to re-measure the works done so far,” Meto said.
Lawmakers are also demanding that Sports Kenya provide profiles and details of all the contractors, sub-contractors, and consultants that awarded all the stadium tenders.
