Concern as Nyayo Stadium Works Stall Over Ksh984 Million Funding Gap

The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has expressed concern over delays at Nyayo Stadium after it emerged that the project is facing a Ksh984 million funding deficit.

The committee was on Tuesday, October 6, informed that the contractor had left the site after construction activities were halted due to outstanding payments. 

The project has a total contract value of Ksh1.184 billion, but only Ksh200 million has been released so far, leaving Ksh984 million unpaid.

The stadium is among the facilities expected to support preparations for AFCON 2027, with Nyayo Stadium set to serve as a training venue during the continental tournament.

Several components of the upgrade have already been completed, including drainage works, installation of floodlights and improvements to the CCTV system. 

However, several key tasks remain unfinished due to the funding challenges.

The outstanding works include connecting the floodlights to the national electricity grid, installing LED screens and a scoreboard, completing perimeter works and putting in place turnstiles and ticketing systems.

The stadium also requires further improvements to ensure its facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities ahead of the tournament.

Committee Chair, West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, stressed the need for closer cooperation between government ministries, departments and agencies involved in preparing the stadium for AFCON 2027.

He pointed to the importance of coordination on accessibility, occupational safety and emergency preparedness as the country continues preparations for the tournament.

"If the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi County have not been involved so far, please begin by sending out their invitations today," he told officials.

The committee is expected to combine the findings from its inspection of Nyayo Stadium with observations from its recent visit to Talanta Stadium.

The findings will form part of a comprehensive report that will guide discussions with the relevant government ministries and the National Treasury on the outstanding funding requirements and other issues that need to be addressed before AFCON 2027.

This comes a week after the National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee raised fresh questions over Kenya’s preparedness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after inspecting the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium.

The Committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Daniel Wanyama, visited the 60,000-seater facility on Thursday, October 1, to assess progress on the project and establish whether the country will meet requirements ahead of the tournament.

Members were informed that construction had reached 94 per cent overall completion.  

The main stadium works were at 95%, while outdoor training facilities stood at 92% and external works at 93%.

The Ministry of Defence, which is implementing the project, told the Committee that construction remained on schedule to meet the December 31 deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

However, the Committee was informed that the stadium would require about three months of testing and commissioning after construction to ensure its systems and facilities are fully operational before the tournament.

During the inspection, MPs questioned officials on several areas considered critical to AFCON preparations, including roads, transport, security, healthcare, water supply, hospitality, training venues and compliance with CAF standards.

Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna sought details on the accessibility of roads serving the stadium and how authorities planned to manage the movement of large numbers of fans entering and leaving the facility.

Nguna also raised concerns about protecting the playing surface from weeds and other environmental factors, while seeking information on the availability and proximity of hospitals to provide medical services to players, officials and spectators.

Turbo MP Janet Sitienei asked whether the stadium and supporting facilities were meeting CAF requirements and sought an update on the readiness of the designated training venues.

She further questioned whether the available water supply would be adequate for the large crowds expected during the tournament. 

Sitienei also called for measures to promote sports tourism before, during and after AFCON 2027.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi also raised concerns about leadership disputes within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), asking how the Local Organising Committee was addressing possible governance issues that could interfere with preparations.

"Is there any potential threat from FKF that could undermine this great event that we have planned?" he posed.