The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has raised concern over a KSh984 million funding shortfall at Nyayo Stadium, warning that delays in settling the contractor’s outstanding payments could undermine preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

During an inspection of the stadium on Tuesday attended by officials from the Ministry of Sports, Nairobi City County and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services, project officials told the Committee that the contractor was currently off site after works were suspended pending payment of the next instalment of KSh650 million. The Committee heard that the contract is valued at KSh1.184 billion, of which only KSh200 million has so far been paid to the contractor.

“Currently, the contractor is asking for about 650 million. We have not received this money,” Gabriel Komora, Deputy Director-General at Sports Kenya, told the Committee.

Nyayo Stadium is expected to serve as a training venue rather than a match venue during AFCON 2027. While several improvements have been completed, including drainage works, floodlight installation and CCTV upgrades, significant works remain outstanding.

These include connecting the floodlights to the national grid, installing LED screens and a scoreboard, completing perimeter works, turnstiles and ticketing systems, as well as upgrading facilities for persons with disabilities.

The funding challenge prompted discussion on how limited resources should be prioritised across the country’s stadium projects, with Sen. Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) suggesting that allocations for some lower-priority facilities could be reviewed to ensure facilities required for AFCON preparations receive adequate funding.

Sen. Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) asked what the implications would be if the budget was not availed and the outstanding upgrades were not completed. After the initial response focused on the contractual implications of the contractor not resuming work, Sen. Nyutu clarified that he was asking about the continued use of the stadium if it was not ready for AFCON.

Officials said the decision would ultimately rest with the Ministry, noting that the stadium remained functional and in use. However, no specific contingency was provided on what would happen if the facility was not ready or the required funds were not released. Officials later said they hoped funds would be released in October to allow works to resume.

For the Committee, however, funding was only part of the challenge.

Members, led by Chair Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot), called for closer coordination among Government ministries, departments and agencies involved in preparing the stadium, particularly on accessibility, occupational safety and emergency preparedness.

The Committee urged Sports Kenya to directly involve the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in assessing disability and occupational safety standards, while Nairobi City County was asked to participate in disaster management and other areas falling within its mandate.

“If the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi County have not been involved so far, please begin by sending out their invitations today,” Sen. Murgor told officials, emphasising the need for closer multi-agency cooperation and a coordinated approach towards a common goal.

Members stressed that the objective should be to deliver a stadium that meets long-term safety and accessibility standards, rather than one modified temporarily to meet the demands of the continental tournament.

The Committee granted Dr Anthony Luka of the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health an additional week to prepare a comprehensive report incorporating findings from the Nyayo Stadium inspection, as well as the delegation’s recent assessment of Talanta Stadium.

The Committee also called for candid reporting of outstanding works, warning against overlooking deficiencies simply because the stadium remains operational.

The report is expected to provide a consolidated picture of the remaining gaps and support engagements with the responsible ministries and the National Treasury for the resources required to complete the works.

The inspection comes as Kenya steps up preparations for AFCON 2027, which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. For Nyayo Stadium, the immediate challenge is therefore twofold: securing the funds needed to bring the contractor back to site and ensuring that Government agencies work together to deliver a facility that is safe, accessible and fit for purpose beyond the tournament.