Ray of Hope, as Dandora Stadium work set to resume

Chairman Dandora Stadium Godfrey Okoti showing stairs and floor made of metal instead of concrete with exposed building material rotting in sun, rain and dust. October 27,2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The multi-million Dandora Stadium which had stalled for over two years will resume very soon, this is according to the senate committee on labour and social welfare has announced.

Speaking after inspecting the project, the committee led by Nairobi senator, Johnstone Sakaja, said the delay has affected many youths who depend on sports from the area for their livelihood.

 “What happens on this project is not the contractor, City-County of Nairobi but the youth of Dandora who will suffer. If anything you have been denied your ground, you are the ones losing on whatever happened.” Said Sakaja.

The senator further said that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had given the team a go ahead with the project. I want to assure the public that the Committee is doing everything in its power, including working closely with investigative agencies, to ensure the resumption of the work. I spoke to the Director-General of EACC, Twalib, who gave us a go-ahead,” he said.

He reiterated that even the work on the stadium has the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who directed the resumption of works at the Dandora Stadium, but nothing has happened.

Sakaja further noted that the completion of the facility will ease pressure on many teams who travel to Thika and Machakos stadiums for games.  He added that the facility will be able to hold major national and local assignments.

 “The stadium will be a hub not only in Eastlands but countrywide. Apart from Camp Toyoyo, we don’t have other playing fields.

With this stadium done we will be able to host big events here even swearing-in of elected leaders,” said Sakaja who was accompanied by Nakuru senator, Susan Kihika, nominated senator, Millicent Omanga and CEC (Nairobi County) for Education, Sports, Youth, Gender Affairs, Culture and Social Services, Janet Ouko.

Susan Kihika lauded the locals for upholding the project and taking care of the facility. I love a community for taking good care of the facility as one of your own and I do promise as a senator and member of the committee I will push it in the committee to its fruitful. I admire the facility and would wish to have such in Nakuru.” She said.

Millicent Omanga on her part alluded to the fact that Dandora is home of talent, and due to a shortage of resources, they are not well utilized. "Here is where people have passion, this facility will make youth self-reliant off from political misuse," said Omanga.  

M/s Scanjet Construction Company was awarded the Sh350 million contract in the 2017/2018 financial year to construct the Dandora Stadium in 18 months. The construction was, however, halted after EACC launched investigations into irregular payment of Sh 196 million by City Hall to the contractor. The project was at its final stage when the contractor vacated the site in September 2019.

At the time, more than 3,000 seats had been installed in the terraces with changing rooms and floodlights fitted.

EACC launched the probe after regulatory authorities accused the contractor of deviating from the contract terms and using steel instead of concrete as a building material.

An investigation by Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) also cited irregularities in the award of the tender, alteration of contract specifications, suspected irregular payments and forgery of documents. It also questioned the quality of the works.

Dandora Stadium was one of the four to be constructed by City Hall to provide for more sports and recreational facilities that are up to FIFA standards. Other stadiums include Jacaranda, Kariokor and Kihumbini.