Lawmakers in the National Assembly have begun investigations into the alleged cost inflation of the International Sports Academy project at Moi Sports Center, Kasarani. Initially budgeted at Sh859.8 million, the cost has now risen to Sh1.03 billion, raising serious concerns.
Led by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, chair of the Public Investment, Administration, and Agriculture Committee, the MPs aim to uncover the reasons behind the contract variation. Wangwe expressed the need for a thorough inquiry, emphasizing that a comprehensive investigation will involve summoning all stakeholders to provide clarity on the true cost of the project.
During a session with Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) CEO Doreen Odhiambo, the committee demanded critical documents, including the bill of quantities, which had not been provided. Suna West MP Peter Masara went as far as suggesting that KAS be declared hostile for withholding essential documents. He questioned how the cost could have been altered without the necessary documentation to justify the variation.
Odhiambo explained that the increase in cost was due to additional consultancy fees for architectural designs, supervision, and project completion certificates that were not accounted for in the original contract. She pointed out that these fees, accrued after the initial contract, resulted in the payment of an additional Sh176.6 million.
The inquiry follows a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, who flagged the cost overrun and warned that project delays could lead to further escalation. The initial contract, signed in 2013, covered the construction of a sports academy, including hostels, football pitches, and other facilities. However, payments exceeding the original contract by 20.5% were made before the project was even completed.
This probe comes just weeks after new documents revealed even more spending on sports projects, including Sh1.3 billion for phase one of the Kenya Academy of Sports, Sh424 million for an additional phase, and Sh3.1 billion for renovations at the Moi Sports Center.
As the committee digs deeper into these discrepancies, the public and parliament alike are keen to understand how such significant budget variations occurred and whether taxpayers’ money was spent efficiently.
