The Auditor General’s report on state organs for the year 2023-2024 has exposed anomalies in the expenditure of Jamhuri Posta Sports Grounds in Nairobi, which was abandoned, and the land allocated for the construction of the Talanta Hela Stadium.

In her report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that the State Department for Sports awarded three contracts valued at Ksh1.2 billion for the proposed construction of the facility.

The report explained that the construction was undertaken in two phases, at Ksh609 million for phase one and Ksh406 million for phase two.

Ksh184 million was spent on additional works for the construction of the facility.

According to the report, the money was supposed to help set up three football fields, a rugby pitch, and an access road.

“Review of documents revealed that the State Department awarded three (3) contracts totalling Ksh1,200,290,692 for the construction of proposed Jamuhuri Posta Sports Ground in Nairobi County. The construction was undertaken in two (2) phases at a cost of Ksh609,610,710 for phase I and Ksh406,361,187 for phase II and additional works of Ksh184,318,795. The scope of works included the construction of three (3) football fields, one (1) rugby pitch, as well as access roads and landscaping,” the report read in part.

Review findings

In her report, Gathungu disclosed that a physical audit conducted in September 2024 revealed that the construction of Talanta Hela Stadium, which is set to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in partnership with Tanzania and Uganda under the Pamoja East Africa banner, was already in progress.

She noted that two football pitches, two restrooms, and access roads, which had been constructed earlier, were demolished to pave the way for the construction of Talanta Hela Stadium.

She thus concluded that the value of money to be realized in the expenditure of Ksh1.2 billion could not be confirmed.

“However, physical audit verification conducted in September 2024 revealed that Talanta Stadium, which will host the AFCON 2027 championships, was under construction on the same grounds. The ongoing construction works resulted in the demolition of two football pitches, two restrooms, and access roads, which had been constructed earlier. In addition, the street lights erected were not functioning, and the chain link fence built around the property had been vandalized.

“In the circumstances, the value for money to be realized from the expenditure of Ksh1,200,290,692 could not be confirmed,” the auditor general concluded.

Talanta Hela Stadium

The construction of the stadium is at an advanced stage. President William Ruto has toured the project on various occasions to show how essential it is to the country.

In June 2024, Ruto inspected the construction progress and said the sports facility will be completed on time in readiness for the continental showpiece.

“I have come here today to inspect the progress of the construction works of this stadium. We will employ more people to ensure the work is completed before the end of next year,” he said.

The stadium will serve as a venue for some of the Afcon matches.

The project will redefine Kenya’s sporting profile and result in an iconic facility and infrastructural upgrade for Nairobi City and the nation, Ruto further explained.