NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan MPs have raised serious concerns over how the government spent Sh607 million on consultancy and feasibility work for three proposed stadiums, despite not owning the land earmarked for the projects.
The planned stadiums in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Eldoret never materialized, even after millions were paid to consultants.
The revelations have prompted the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee on Social Services and Administration to launch a probe into the spending.
Speaking to the committee on Wednesday, Sports Kenya Director-General Gabriel Komora admitted that the consultancy work had proceeded even without title deeds for the sites.
“The cost of the project came after benchmarking similar projects to have stadiums almost equivalent to Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums,” Komora said, explaining that while the sites had been identified, the necessary legal documents were not available at the time.
He cited the Nairobi site along Ngong Road as an example, noting that discussions and presentations had been held regarding the land, even though ownership documents were pending.
Parliamentary records show that PKF led the consortium awarded the consultancy contract, which involved four firms—two local and two foreign.
Of the total funds, Sh99.2 million was allocated to feasibility studies, while Sh507.6 million covered architectural designs, quantity surveying, and project management.
Although feasibility studies and detailed designs were completed, Komora told MPs that construction never commenced because the government shifted focus to upgrading existing regional stadiums.
“This particular tender was abandoned after the project started concentrating on rehabilitating regional projects, and therefore the stadiums were not completed,” he said.
MPs questioned how such a large sum could be spent on a project without legal land ownership. Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina asked, “Are you telling us that the studies were being done on land that was actually not there?”
Saboti MP and committee Vice Chair Caleb Amisi said a thorough investigation into the payments would be conducted.
He directed Sports Kenya to submit all related documents, including details of the four companies, contract terms, feasibility reports, environmental assessments, and final designs.
The stalled stadiums were initially projected to cost Sh42 billion. Their abandonment after heavy preliminary spending has raised serious questions about accountability and planning in large-scale government infrastructure projects.
