A contractor has blamed the stalled construction of the Sh1.16 billion Kipchoge 64 Stadium in Eldoret City on the delayed release of funds by the Uasin Gishu County Government, amid calls by a parliamentary committee for an investigation.
According to the contractor, the unstable payments from the devolved unit have caused the project to stall since 2023.
This is despite the contractor having invested Sh700 million, sparking an outcry over the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
"The implementation of the project has been hit by the unsteady release of funds by the county government. It has been unreliable in the payment of Sh120 million, resulting in the stalling of the project since December 2023," said Denis Ongata, the engineer in charge of the project.
The project is among those that the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) wants to be probed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged misappropriation of public resources due to corruption and a lack of proper oversight.
Others are the Sh600 million 400-bed-capacity Ziwa Level Four Hospital and a special needs assessment centre that is projected to cost over Sh2.4 billion.
Football pitch at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Uasin Gishu County as at August 04, 2023.
Photo credit: Bernard Rotich | Nation Media Group
The PAC chairman and Homa Bay senator, Moses Kajwang, wants EACC to fast-track a probe into the projects for legal action to be taken against those responsible for the embezzlement of public funds.
“The contractors left the site over two years ago without completing the work, and the public is unlikely to receive value for money,” said Mr Kagwang.
The committee asked the county government to engage the contractors and hasten the completion of the abandoned projects.
"Taxpayer’s money is at stake and the county should engage the contractor through a return to work formula to resume work and fast-track completion of the project," said Johannes Mwaruma, Taita Taveta senator and member of the committee.
Terraces under construction at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Uasin Gishu County as at August 04, 2023.
Photo credit: Bernard Rotich | Nation Media Group
Eldoret City Manager Tito Koiyet has defended the Sh700 million paid to the contractor for the Kipchoge 64 stadium, blaming the stalling of the project on challenges in funding.
He disclosed that the project was initially funded under the Kenya Urban Support Program, but it was later taken over by the county government after the expiry of the contract under the program.
"The implementation of the project has experienced numerous challenges, including technical issues and financial constraints, which have delayed its completion," said Mr Koiyet while confirming that construction works have been suspended for the last year.
A section of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County on March 11, 2023, which is under construction. JARED
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The project, which started in 2021, was to last for 15 months, but it remains incomplete due to financial constraints.
"The Sh700 million paid to the contractor is legitimate, otherwise the Auditor General would have raised doubts over the payment," said Mr Koiyet
"We are ready to proceed with the construction works and complete the project once the county government makes payment," said Mr Ongata.
A section of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County on March 11, 2023, which is under construction.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The Senators have challenged the county government to hasten the completion of the project, describing it as a white elephant project.
"The county claims the project is at 70 percent when it is barely 50 percent. This is a sports arena and failing to deliver is a big letdown to our athletes," said Samson Cherargei, Nandi Senator and member of the committee.
He criticised the county government for spending taxpayers' money on grandiose projects that do not benefit residents.
