MPs Demand Answers Over Sh10.8B Talanta Stadium Extra Cost as Sports Kenya Distances Itself

Members of Parliament are investigating a staggering Sh10.8 billion cost increase for the Talanta Sports City project, raising serious questions about the decision to transfer its procurement to the military.

The ambitious vision for Talanta Sports City, a 60,000-seater stadium set to be the centrepiece of Kenya's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting duties, is facing a harsh financial reality.

A parliamentary committee this week grilled government officials over how the project's budget, initially approved at Sh35 billion, ballooned to Sh45.8 billion without legislative oversight or a clear public explanation.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

For Kenyan taxpayers, the Sh10.8 billion gap is a significant sum, equivalent to the annual budgets of several government departments or the cost of building hundreds of new schools.

As the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture launches its inquiry, the focus has shifted from the stadium's architectural plans to the controversial procurement process, particularly the transfer of the project's management from the Ministry of Sports to the Ministry of Defence.

At the heart of the investigation is a massive, unexplained cost variance that has drawn the ire of lawmakers. Documents show that while the National Treasury had approved a Sh35 billion budget to be disbursed over six years via the Sports and Arts Social Development Fund, the final contract signed with China Road and Bridge Corporation is for Sh45.8 billion. This unsupported 30 per cent increase has left legislators demanding answers.

The controversy surrounding Talanta Stadium has reignited a national debate over the increasing use of the military for civilian infrastructure projects.

In recent years, the government has frequently turned to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to oversee public works, citing their discipline, speed, and logistical prowess. However, critics argue this approach creates significant gaps in public accountability, as demonstrated by the stadium project.

Appearing before the committee, Sports Kenya Director General Timothy Kilimo defended his agency by stating it was not involved in the procurement process.

This admission raises a critical question of whether the statutory body responsible for managing national sports facilities was sidelined, and who is ultimately accountable for the project's financial integrity?

While proponents claim military involvement prevents project delays, committee members argue this "whole-of-government" strategy effectively shields cost breakdowns from parliamentary and public scrutiny.

The pressure to complete Talanta Stadium is immense, driven by the fast-approaching 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya, co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania, is under a strict mandate from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to provide world-class facilities. With interest penalties accumulating and a budget that lacks clear justification, the stadium risks becoming a symbol of the very inefficiency it was intended to overcome.

The parliamentary committee, chaired by Emmanuel Wangwe, has highlighted several glaring irregularities that may have contributed to this financial leap.

The committee has now demanded full disclosure of all agreements between the Ministry of Defence and the contractor. Lawmakers are calling for a forensic audit to trace the funds and determine how such a massive financial commitment was made without explicit parliamentary approval.

Wangwe said the committee is seeking full details of the agreement between the government and the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation’s Kenyan subsidiary.

“We want all the documents. We want to see the contract between China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Ministry of Defence. We also want to understand why the price increased and what relationship exists between Sports Kenya and the Ministry of Defence,” Wangwe said.

Caleb Amisi, the MP for Saboti Constituency and vice chairperson of the committee, also questioned the legal framework that allowed the Ministry of Defence (Kenya) to take over the project and its finances.

Amisi suggested that the committee hold a joint meeting with the Public Accounts Committee to further investigate the matter, noting that the Defence Ministry’s accounts fall under the oversight of that committee.

“I feel for you because this situation is very difficult. How does money come to Sports Kenya and then suddenly go to the Ministry of Defence? Our financial system does not work like that,” Amisi said.

“We did not have a role in procurement. We are not the procuring entity for Talanta Stadium. That responsibility was transferred to the Ministry,” he said.

Martin Owino, the MP for Ndhiwa Constituency, called for a forensic audit to establish how the procurement process for the project was conducted.

“This is unacceptable. I have never seen something like this before. There must be proper documentation and accountability when public money is moved,” Owino said.

As the committee delves into the project's finances, the stadium has also become a crucial test of the government's commitment to transparency and the rule of law.