Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has flagged irregularities in the expenditure of billions of shillings on the construction of four stadiums in Kenya, raising serious questions about the management and oversight of public funds.
These stadiums include Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County, Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County, Jamhuri Posta Grounds in Nairobi County, and the Jomo Kenyatta Showground in Kisumu County.
Each of these projects is plagued by inflated prices, violations of procurement regulations, and unfinished work, raising questions about the worth of these substantial investments.
The report shows that Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, for instance, cost the taxpayer KES 696 million but the price was increased by KES 76.5 million. According to the Auditor General, the regularity and value for money to be realized from the expenditure of KES 696m incurred on the project could not be confirmed and management was in breach of the law.
Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County was also cited, with the total project cost initially awarded to two contractors amounting to KES 1 billion. Subsequently, it was discovered that the cost had been inflated by KES 148 million, representing a 25% increase from the contract price, and lacked proper approval documentation.
Mismanagement and violation of procurement laws led to corruption at the Stadium, with Phase 2 of the project halted due to the contractor’s non-payment.
The report further outlines how taxpayers suffered a loss of KES 57 million in the development of Jamhuri Posta grounds in Nairobi County, with the project costing KES 1.1 billion. Authorities are accused of engaging in direct procurement against legal provisions, resulting in funds surpassing engineer valuations.
Additionally, the project was left unfinished, lacking essential components such as electricity and floodlights, raising further concerns about its integrity.
In Kisumu, the Auditor General says taxpayers did not get value for their money in the upgrading of the Jomo Kenyatta Showground which cost the treasury KES 350 million.
An inspection conducted by auditors found missing metal covers and massive vandalism. the stadium was not handed over to the government for use, with the county government of Kisumu taking possession.
