Heightened Scrutiny Over Public Funds

NAIROBI, KENYA – The Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Soipan Tuya, and the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, are set to be summoned before a parliamentary committee to address grave concerns over the alleged misappropriation of billions of shillings at Sports Kenya. The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) resolved to issue the summonses after uncovering what it termed “deliberate financial mismanagement” during a session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, EAT.

The investigation, which scrutinizes years of financial records, has revealed a pattern of unexplained cost escalations, irregular payments, and stalled projects, raising serious questions about the stewardship of public funds intended for sports development. The committee’s vice-chairperson, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who chaired the session, warned that the findings could lead to legal action against officials found culpable. “Taxpayers' money cannot just disappear without accountability,” Amisi stated during the proceedings.

Ministry of Defence’s Role and Stadium Cost Overruns

The summons for Defence CS Soipan Tuya is linked to the Ministry of Defence’s significant role in overseeing the construction and renovation of major sports facilities ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host. In October 2023, the Cabinet tasked the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) with supervising the refurbishment of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, Kipchoge Keino Stadium, and the construction of the new Talanta Sports City. This places the ministry at the center of multi-billion shilling expenditures on sports infrastructure.

The committee’s probe has highlighted alarming cost inflation on several of these projects. A key example cited was the Kinoru Stadium in Meru, where renovation costs inexplicably ballooned from an initial Ksh109 million to Ksh355 million, leaving Ksh246 million unaccounted for. Similar discrepancies were noted in a project involving seven county stadiums, initially budgeted at Ksh2.8 billion, which later appeared in records as eight projects costing Ksh2.9 billion. The Auditor-General’s report for the financial year ended June 30, 2023, flagged the Ruring'u Stadium project in Nyeri, which commenced in 2017 and remains incomplete over six years later, plagued by poor drainage and stalled progress.

Irregular Payments and Legacy Debts

The investigation also extends to financial handling of international events. During the committee session, it was revealed that Sports Kenya spent Ksh382 million on the 2017 World U18 Athletics Championships, but the Ministry of Sports only refunded Ksh274.8 million, leaving a balance of Ksh47.39 million outstanding. Furthermore, a payment of Ksh48 million to Athletics Kenya officials reportedly lacked the necessary supporting documentation.

CS Salim Mvurya, who took over the sports docket in January 2025, inherits a ministry grappling with these legacy issues. His summons is intended to provide clarity on the ministry’s oversight of Sports Kenya during the periods under review. The Auditor-General’s reports for both 2023 and 2024 have consistently issued qualified opinions on Sports Kenya’s financial statements, citing unresolved matters, including unexplained variances in property and equipment balances and the failure to settle audit fees dating back to the 2004/2005 financial year.

During the parliamentary session, Sports Kenya CEO Gabriel Komora attributed the lack of original financial records to their surrender to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for ongoing investigations. However, MPs on the committee dismissed this explanation, insisting that the anti-graft body is required to return certified copies of such documents. The committee also questioned a Ksh30 million payment to consultants for developing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for stadiums, a plan the government later abandoned.

Implications for Kenya’s Sporting Future

The probe casts a long shadow over Kenya's preparations for hosting major international tournaments, including the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 AFCON. The vast sums of public money allocated to these projects are intended to elevate Kenya's status as a regional sporting hub and provide world-class facilities for its athletes. The allegations of widespread mismanagement and potential corruption threaten to undermine these goals and erode public trust.

The PIC-SSAA has vowed to continue its investigation, with plans to also summon former officials of Sports Kenya and representatives from the EACC. The outcome of these summonses will be critical in determining the extent of the financial rot, holding responsible parties to account, and safeguarding future investments in Kenya’s sports sector. As of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, EAT, neither Cabinet Secretary Tuya nor Cabinet Secretary Mvurya had issued a public statement in response to the impending summons. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.