The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing has put the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports on the spot over the escalating cost of the Talanta Stadium project, procurement procedures and ownership documentation for the multi-billion-shilling facility.

Appearing before the Committee, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya defended the project and assured Senators that the stadium would be completed in time ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“CAF has given us a report on what we need to do to make it better,” said CS Mvurya.

The government has defended the increase in the construction cost of the Talanta Stadium from an initial Kshs.34.6 billion to Kshs.45.8 billion, attributing the rise to taxes, levies and import-related charges that were not captured in the original estimates.

Senators, however, questioned the justification for the additional Kshs.10 billion and the decision to use direct procurement in awarding the contract.

Sen. Mohamed Chute asked, “We need Cabinet Secretary to explain why the construction cost moved from 34 billion shillings to 45 billion shillings.”

Sen. John Kinyua also sought clarification on the procurement process, asking, “Why there was a variation of 10 billion shillings, why did the ministry do direct procurement for the stadium.”

Senator Chute further stated that there must be proper correspondence between the contractor and the government before commencement of such a project.

“There must be a correspondence between the contractor and the government, before we start a project, we need to know what is the estimated cost of construction of the stadium,” said Sen. Chute.

In response, CS Mvurya maintained that there was no variation in the contract sum.

“The contract was signed for 45 billion Kenya Shillings and there was no variation,” said the CS.

CS Mvurya further told the Committee that the Ministry was prepared to provide all relevant records to address concerns raised by Senators.

“We should bring documentation to answer questions from this committee,” he stated.

He added, “We had responded to the issue of variation and we are ready to provide documentation.”

The Committee Chairperson, Sen. Eddy Oketch, questioned the sharp increase in the overall project cost.

“The cost of construction of the stadium should include VAT, the variation of 10 billion shillings is too high,” said Sen. Oketch.

Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi defended the figures, stating that the initial estimates had been prepared by consultants from the University of Nairobi.

“We don’t have a variation on this project, the estimated cost was done by University of Nairobi,” said PS Mwangi.

“The consultant gave us the initial cost of Ksh. 34.6 billion,” he added.

Sen. Enock Wambua sought clarification on the currency used in the contract, asking whether the agreement was denominated in Kenya shillings or US dollars.

The Cabinet Secretary responded that the Talanta Stadium contract is in Kenya shillings.

Committee Chairperson Eddy Oketch also questioned the ownership status of the project land.

“Where is the title deed of the Talanta Stadium and is the acquisition cost reflected in the balance sheet?” posed Sen. Oketch.

The Talanta Stadium project, which commenced in March 2024, is currently at 87 per cent completion and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.

The facility comprises a 60,000-seater stadium with five floor levels, training pitches, parking facilities and water features.

According to the Ministry, stadium works are at 89 per cent completion, outdoor training facilities at 82 per cent while external works stand at 86 per cent.

Among the completed milestones are the concrete superstructure, installation of the exterior steel curtain wall and installation of the roof steel structure together with the Teflon roof cover.

“We are launching the Talanta Stadium in August this year and it will be accessible to Kenyans,” said CS Mvurya.

Sen. Chute also questioned why the contractor was single sourced.

“We need to know why contractor was single sourced,” he said.

The Ministry maintained that direct procurement was adopted due to the complexity of the project and the need to meet strict timelines ahead of AFCON 2027, adding that all approvals, including from the Attorney General’s office, were obtained before the contract was awarded to China Road and Bridge Corporation.