Senators raise questions over Sh45.8 billion Talanta Sports City Stadium project again

The construction of the multi-billion-shilling Talanta Stadium has once again come under intense scrutiny in the Senate.

The lawmakers have questioned the ballooning cost of the project, procurement procedures, and land ownership documents linked to the flagship sports facility.

The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing on Thursday grilled officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports over the Sh45.8 billion project, which is expected to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Kenya will co-host the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The session, chaired by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, saw Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya put to task over the sharp increase in the stadium’s cost from an initial estimate of Sh34.6 billion to Sh45.8 billion.

The 60,000-seater facility, located at Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road in Nairobi, officially broke ground on March 1, 2024.

The project is being constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) under the supervision of the Kenya Defence Forces Engineering Department.

At the centre of the Senate inquiry was the unexplained Sh10 billion jump in construction costs.

“We need the Cabinet Secretary to explain why the construction cost moved from 34 billion shillings to 45 billion shillings,” said Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute.

Senators argued that taxpayers deserved clarity on whether the increase was justified and whether procurement laws were followed before the contract was awarded.

“There must be correspondence between the contractor and the government. Before we start a project, we need to know what is the estimated cost of construction of the stadium,” Chute added.

The Talanta Stadium project is among the key infrastructure commitments Kenya made to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after winning hosting rights for the continental tournament.

CAF has repeatedly emphasised that member countries must meet strict timelines and international standards for sports facilities, transport, and security infrastructure ahead of the championship.

Defending the project, Mvurya dismissed claims of cost inflation, insisting that the Sh45.8 billion amount was the original contract price and that there had been no variation after signing.

“The contract was signed for Sh45 billion, and there was no variation,” said Mvurya.

According to Mvurya, the discrepancy arose because the initial Sh34.6 billion estimate prepared by consultants excluded taxes, import duties, and VAT related to imported construction materials and specialised equipment.

Mvurya maintained that the government remained on course to deliver the project within CAF timelines.

“CAF has given us a report on what we need to do to make it better. We are launching the Talanta Stadium in August this year and it will be accessible to Kenyans,” he told the committee.

However, senators remained unconvinced, arguing that taxes and levies should ordinarily form part of the original project costing.

“The cost of construction of the stadium should include VAT. The variation of 10 billion shillings is too high,” said Senator Oketch.

Laikipia Senator John Kinyua also questioned why the ministry opted for direct procurement instead of open competitive tendering.

“Why was there a variation of 10 billion shillings? Why did the ministry do direct procurement for the stadium?” Kinyua posed.

In response, ministry officials defended the procurement method, saying the project required specialised expertise and urgent execution to beat the strict Afcon deadlines.

They further stated that all approvals, including clearance from the Attorney General’s office, had been obtained before the contract was awarded to CRBC.

The Senate committee also sought clarification over ownership of the land where the stadium is being built.

Senators demanded to know whether the government held a valid title deed for the property and whether the land acquisition costs had been properly captured in state financial records.

“Where is the title deed of the Talanta Stadium, and is the acquisition cost reflected in the balance sheet?” asked Oketch.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi defended the initial estimates, explaining that they were prepared by consultants from the University of Nairobi.

“We don’t have a variation on this project. The estimated cost was done by the University of Nairobi. The consultant gave us the initial cost of Sh34.6 billion,” said Mwangi.

Despite the controversy, the ministry said construction works were progressing steadily, with the stadium now at 87 percent completion.

Officials told senators that major milestones already achieved include the concrete superstructure, roofing works, and installation of the steel curtain wall.

Once completed, Talanta Stadium will feature modern training pitches, parking bays, hospitality areas, and water features, positioning it among the most advanced sporting facilities in the region.

The government views the project as critical not only for Afcon 2027 preparations but also for reviving Kenya’s sports infrastructure, which has long lagged behind international standards.