Wamuzi News Ke
A damning audit has revealed that Sports Kenya authorized premature and unlawful contracts totaling a staggering Sh19 billion—prompting serious questions about governance failures and budgetary abuse in the country’s sports sector.
Wickata-fuelled Contracts Uncovered.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s latest audit exposed that Sports Kenya handed out numerous high-value contracts—mostly for infrastructure projects like stadiums—using direct procurement methods and before proper budget approvals were in place .
This early rollout allowed rampant cost escalations and sidelined open tender processes mandated by law.
Direct Procurement, Hidden Costs.
Facilities across the nation—including Jamhuri Posta Grounds in Nairobi, Kirigiti (Kiambu), Wang’uru (Kirinyaga), and Jomo Kenyatta Showgrounds (Kisumu)—were advanced via contracts that exceeded engineer valuations by tens of millions. Some facilities ballooned by 25% without documented approval . On Jamhuri Posta alone, over Sh581 million in additional works were awarded directly, flouting Section 103 of the Public Procurement Act.
Projects Stalled Amid Financial Chaos.
Physical inspections revealed delay and abandonment: floodlights left unconnected, stadiums unfinished, and workers absent. For instance, Kirigiti and Wang’uru stadiums were only partially completed—despite multi-hundred-million-shilling outlays .
National Assembly AlarmParliament’s Public Accounts Committee, led by Tindi Mwale MP, condemned the lack of competitive bidding and disregard for procurement laws.
Although Sports PS Elijah Mwangi defended direct procurement—citing urgency for national celebrations—he acknowledged cost increases were unapproved .
Broader Sports Sector Corruption.
The revelations echo earlier findings: a 2024 audit flagged Sh2.7 billion in unexplained Sports Ministry spending, including overpayments, missing documentation, and inflated project costs .
Separately, the EACC is probing a Sh5 billion tender scandal at Sports Kenya, implicating missing tax remittances and dubious contracts .
Red Flags, Serious Consequences.
Legal Violations: Contraventions of public procurement legislation open room for legal challenges and void contracts.Budget Drain: With Sh19 billion tied up in irregular deals, essential sports development and grassroots programs will suffer.
Institutional Risk: The EACC, National Assembly, and Auditor-General may demand accountability—possibly triggering prosecution of officials involved.
What Lies Ahead.
Investigators from the EACC and Public Accounts Committee are expected to intensify scrutiny. Parliament may summon Sports Kenya leadership, while audits could prompt contract cancellations and financial refunds. Calls for digitization of procurement processes and stronger internal controls are growing.
