Sh2.8b meant for stadia works cannot be accounted for

Goats graze in a desolate Kamariny Stadium in Iten. The stadium is one of those that had been ear-marked for an upgrade. [Courtesy]

A Sh2,800,475,122 allocation made by the National Government for the refurbishment of eight county stadia in the 2017-18 financial year cannot be accounted for.

This is according to a 2017-18 report from the Auditor General.

The report points out that the allocation was meant to ensure the eight counties could boast of stadia that could host national events.

The stadia that were supposed to be upgraded were Kamariny Stadium which received an allocation of Sh287,837,775, Kipchoge Keino (Sh304,204,413), Karatu Ndarugu (Sh259,604,780), Wote (Sh299,309,554), Marsabit Stadium (Sh295,263,215), Kirubia (Sh274,208,855) Kinoru (Sh442,137,530) and Ruringu (Sh288,045,530).

The Auditor General in his report asserts that, contractors in these stadia pocketed Sh699, 293,255 as at June 30, 2018 without showing any work done.

"Under the circumstances, it has not been possible to confirm efficiency, competition, fairness with which contracts were entered into and whether value for money spent was obtained in these stadia," reads the audit.

The auditor stressed that despite the contractors pocketing Sh699, 293,255, they abandoned the sites without explanation. 

"A review of the implementation status of these projects during the year under audit showed that there was a delay in completion and the contractors abandoned the sites," the audit points out.

No noticeable work

An inspection done at Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet County on March 9, 2019 showed there was no noticeable pitch and track works at the site.

M/s Funan construction Company Limited had been awarded the contract which was to start on January 5, 2017 and was to be completed by May 31, 2018.

In the audit, it emerged that no proper explanation was given as to why M/s Funan had abandoned the site before completing works.

"The contractor had been paid 11 per cent of the total contract cost," reads the report.

The scope of works involved construction of the Kerio Valley View Point, a VIP Pavillion, changing rooms, reference rooms, anti-doping rooms, office for the stadium management, pitch works and track lanes.

Concerns were also raised on how the tendering process was done since documents relating to procurement of contractors for the eight stadia projects were not provided for audit verification.

The documents including the original tender documents, tender opening minutes, evaluation committee reports and procurement professional opinions were not provided.

Chan tourney

Separately, the report has shone a spotlight on five other stadia that were supposed to be specifically refurbished in order to host the African Nations Championship (Chan).

The championship is a football tournament that brings together African players plying their trade in local football leagues.

Kenya was supposed to host the 2018 tournament, but was stripped off the hosting hosts primarily because of lack of stadia.

The stadia that were to host Chan were: Moi international Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, Kinoru Stadum in Meru, Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

At least 10 training grounds for participating teams were also supposed to be upgraded including Utalii grounds.

According to the audit report, M/s Gregori international SA was the company that was awarded a Sh485,749,948 tender to refurbish the Chan stadia by Sports Kenya.

"In view of these projects, the value for money has not been obtained," the auditor notes.

"The expiry of the bank guarantee on February 5, 2018 threw the projects in limbo. The advance payment of Sh158, 247,100 remains unsecured and is likely to be lost."