Kenyan Sports has suffered a huge deal from the delay of the construction and renovation of Stadia.
When the Jubilee government was taking power in the country, Kenyans were certain a number of Stadia that were to be built to promote Sports in the country. In 2017, Sh2.450 billion was dished out to six contractors for the construction of eight county stadiums that remain incomplete with a majority being abandoned.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission have launched an investigation into the management of these funds by Sports Kenya. It is alleged that Sports Kenya also issued irregular tenders worth over Sh5 billion for the construction and renovation sports facilities across the country.
The EACC officers are using the report of the Office of Auditor-General for the year 2017/18 currently before the National Assembly, in their investigations.
The Officers have so far revealed that Sports Kenya’s approach to the completion of the contractual works brought fears that the total costs of the projects would escalate. The billions were awarded to different contractors in 2017.
Sports Kenya was given the mandate and funds to renovate five premium pitches and ten training grounds. All the projects were to be completed within 14 weeks in readiness for the January 2018 CHAN Championship that was to be held in Kenya.
Two years later now, the projects have not been finished and Kenya missed a great opportunity to host the 2018 CHAN Championship because of the same. With missing the CHAN hosting, Kenya missed an opportunity to showcase Tourism potential and boosting local businesses.
5 Premium Stadia Renovation
The five premium pitches that were to be renovated included Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kinoru Stadium (Meru), Kipchoge Keino Stadium (Uasin Gishu), and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
The Auditor General’s report shows that a Sh 1.609 billion tender for the five premium pitches was awarded to M/s Audited Kenya limited. This included designing, supplying, testing, commissioning and supervision of security, access control, communications, audio-visual and pitch lighting systems in the stadiums.
As per April 12, 2019, it was revealed by the auditors that the contractor had only presented the designs for the contracted works and not done anything more. The report further notes that no activities related to the contract had begun on the ground on both the premium pitches and the training grounds.
The security guarantee for the project had also expired on February 28, 2018 and no evidence was presented to the auditors for revalidation at the time of the audit.
Another contract worth Sh971,457,265 was awarded to M/s Gregori International SA for the renovation of the five pitches and Sports Kenya was to supervise and certify the work done.
Talking to Business Today, Gregory International said that it carried out works on the Kasarani, Nyayo, Kinoru, Kipchoge Keino, Utalii and Meru stadiums. However, it was compelled to bring construction to a standstill due to the scarcity of water and a lack of payment from the client which prevented it from finalizing the work.
To date, Gregori International has still not received satisfactory action on the part of the client regarding the balance of the payment despite several attempts to contact them.
This company was required to undertake design, mobilization, grass removal, irrigation, leveling, soil preparation and fertilization and installation of specialized grass- Bermuda/ paspalum.
It was also required to install sporting equipment in the five main pitches and ten training grounds that were earmarked for use in the CHAN 2018 championships. However, as of April 12, 2019, only one of the ten pitches had been renovated.
Eight County Stadia
Other eight county stadia to be worked on are the Sh287.84 million Kamariny stadium (Elgeyo Marakwet), the Sh288.045 million Ruringu stadium (Nyeri), Sh304.204 million Kipchoge Keino stadium (Uasin Gishu), Sh259.604 million Karatu Ndarugu (Kiambu) and Sh299.309 million Wote stadium (Makueni).
The others are Sh295.263 million Marsabit Stadium (Marsabit), Sh274.208 Kirubia stadium (Tharaka Nithi) and Sh442.137 million Kinoru Stadium in Meru.
Kamariny was awarded to M/s Funan Construction Company while the Kirubia stadium contract was awarded to Toddy construction. Works commenced in January 2017 and was expected to be completed after nine months.
At Kasarani stadium, Sh31.020 million was awarded to M/s Nitram and Taphes Enterprises limited for construction of an indoor sports facility. As at April this year the works had not been completed despite expiry of the contract period and the contractor was no longer on site.
At the Nyayo Stadium, M/s Lexis International limited was contracted for civil works worth Sh206.690 million and another tender for builders works at Sh325.829 million. The two projects were awarded in August 2017 and were to be completed in 14 weeks.
All these works were to be completed before 2018 but the stadia are nowhere close to completion. EACC is conducting investigations that might land Sports Kenya in trouble.
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