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A parliamentary committee has revealed that Sports Kenya spent KSh 607.2 million on feasibility studies and consultancy for three unbuilt stadiums, sparking public outcry and calls for accountability.
Sports Kenya is facing intense scrutiny following revelations that it spent KSh 607.2 million on feasibility studies and consultancy services for three proposed national stadiums that were never constructed. The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) of the National Assembly uncovered the expenditure during a session on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, focusing on audit queries from the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 financial years.
The proposed stadiums, intended for Nairobi, Mombasa, and Eldoret, were estimated to cost a combined KSh 42 billion and were envisioned as flagship projects under Vision 2030. However, more than a decade after the initial studies were commissioned, no construction has commenced. The committee heard that KSh 99.6 million was paid for feasibility studies and an additional KSh 57 million for architectural and project management services, despite Sports Kenya failing to secure formal land titles for any of the proposed sites.
The scandal surrounding the 'ghost stadiums' is part of a broader pattern of stalled and mismanaged sports infrastructure projects in Kenya. The Auditor-General's reports have consistently flagged irregular handling of funds and procurement failures in stadium construction. For instance, an audit for the financial year ending June 30, 2024, detailed multiple breaches of procurement laws and incomplete works across various projects.
Beyond the unbuilt stadiums, existing facilities also face challenges. Sports Kenya admitted to lacking proper land ownership documents for major national assets, including Kasarani National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre. Furthermore, the cost of upgrading Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret ballooned from an initial KSh 109.7 million to KSh 355.1 million, an increase of over 200 percent. The agency has since requested a fresh KSh 3.5 billion for rehabilitation work at the same stadium.
The projects were allocated funds under the Vision 2030 blueprint and the Sports Act 2013. Lawmakers have warned that continued delays risk rendering these investments a waste of taxpayer money. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has previously recommended investigations into similar irregularities, such as those seen in the Dandora Stadium project, where costs were allegedly varied by KSh 350 million and irregular payments of over KSh 196 million were made to a contractor.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who chaired the PIC-SSAA session, questioned the rationale behind spending millions on consultancy without securing land titles. He emphasised that the committee would not allow public funds to vanish under the guise of stalled projects. Acting Director General Gabriel Komora and his team from Sports Kenya struggled to provide satisfactory answers to the committee's queries.
Civic groups are also actively campaigning against corruption in Kenya. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, a civic group presented a petition to the Senate, highlighting its efforts to tackle widespread graft.
The ongoing mismanagement of sports projects poses significant risks, including the loss of public funds, delayed development of crucial infrastructure, and a negative impact on Kenya's ability to host international sporting events. The lack of accountability and transparency erodes public trust and hinders the growth of the sports sector, which has immense economic and socio-political potential. Furthermore, the country is preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Uganda and Tanzania, making the timely completion and proper management of stadium projects critical.
The full extent of accountability for the KSh 607.2 million expenditure and other irregularities remains unclear. The specific individuals or entities responsible for approving payments for projects without land titles have not been publicly identified. The measures Sports Kenya will take to secure land titles for existing and proposed facilities are also yet to be fully detailed.
Further investigations by the PIC-SSAA are expected, including physical inspections of disputed sites like Kipchoge Keino Stadium. The committee has demanded a comprehensive report on all proposed stadiums from 2015 to date. The government's efforts to secure land titles for existing stadiums and ensure transparent project implementation will be crucial. The impact of recent budget cuts to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund on ongoing and future projects also warrants close observation.
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