Kshs. 10.85 Billion Mystery: Senate Probes Ballooning Talanta Sports City Cost
Sports Updated: 27 March 2026 17:11 EAT
Talanta Stadium which is under construction
The Senate has intensified scrutiny over the Talanta Sports City project after its cost surged from Kshs. 35 billion to Kshs. 45.85 billion, raising fresh concerns over accountability and financial oversight.
A report by the Auditor-General flagged an unexplained increase of Kshs. 10.85 billion, noting that the variation lacks sufficient supporting documentation in the financial year ending June 2025.
The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing has formally written to Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, demanding a detailed account of the project’s status, financing, and management.
Lawmakers questioned how the additional billions were approved without clear justification, warning that such discrepancies undermine public trust in major infrastructure projects.
The audit further revealed that the contract for the stadium was awarded through direct procurement, bypassing competitive tendering procedures required under Kenyan law.
Concerns were also raised over the absence of mandatory clearance from the Attorney-General for contracts exceeding Kshs. 5 billion, a key legal requirement meant to safeguard public funds.
The committee is now seeking clarity on the project’s financing structure, noting gaps in documentation that make it difficult to verify value for money.
Talanta Sports City, a proposed 60,000-seater stadium earmarked for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, remains a flagship government project despite the mounting concerns.
Senators have warned that failure to provide satisfactory explanations could trigger deeper investigations into the handling of the multi-billion-shilling project.
Committee Chairperson Eddy Oketch said the Senate expects a comprehensive response addressing procurement processes, cost variations, financing mechanisms, and the overall implementation status.
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FELIX MAKONA
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