MPs fault irregular payments in Wote Stadium project
By Cy Muganda, August 16, 2025Members of Parliament have uncovered serious contractual breaches and irregular payments in the stalled construction of Wote Stadium in Makueni County, raising concerns over project delays and possible mismanagement of millions of shillings in public funds.
In a statement posted on its Facebook account on August 16, 2025, Parliament announced that the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture, led by Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, made the revelations during an inspection tour of the facility on August 15, 2025.
“The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture has unearthed serious contractual irregularities in the construction of Wote Stadium in Makueni County, raising concerns over delays and possible mismanagement of millions of shillings in public funds,” the statement reads.
Payment discrepancies
According to Parliament, legislators were shocked to discover conflicting figures regarding payments made to the contractor during their inspection.
“Legislators were shocked to learn that the contractor had been paid Ksh194 million, contrary to earlier reports indicating a cumulative expenditure of Ksh226 million as at June 30, 2025,” the statement noted.
The inspection revealed significant shortfalls in project completion despite the substantial payments made.
“The inspection revealed glaring gaps in the first phase of the contract. The 1,500-seat pavilion was missing, the eight-lane track remained incomplete, the football field failed to meet FIFA standards and key installations, including the boundary wall, gates and borehole, were yet to be completed,” Parliament stated.
Unauthorised additional works
The committee also discovered that the contractor had undertaken additional works worth Ksh93 million without proper authorisation.
“MPs also discovered that the contractor had undertaken additional works not included in the original contract, including a retaining wall and gabions worth Ksh93 million, without any official authorisation,” the statement reads.
They further revealed problematic subcontracting arrangements that bypassed proper procedures.
“Further scrutiny revealed that Sports Kenya had subcontracted mechanical and electrical works, bypassing the main contractor, while the mechanical subcontractor in turn subcontracted the drilling of a borehole, a project left incomplete and abandoned,” the statement detailed.
Lawmakers’ concerns
Responding to the findings, Mule questioned why taxpayers should foot the bill for works that were not authorised.
“Who will pay you for the new projects you have invested in without authority, like the retaining wall?” he asked, adding that Wote Stadium was among seven regional stadiums that had stalled despite heavy expenditure.
Busia County MP Catherine Omanyo expressed concerns about value for money in the project.
“Busia County MP Catherine Omanyo decried the lack of value for money, saying the work done was not commensurate with the Ksh194 million that had been paid,” Parliament reported.
MPs’ demands
The committee directed the Public Works Department to provide a detailed report within a week on scope changes, challenges faced by the contractor, and material cost fluctuations.
MPs also called for the urgent submission of all documentation on the project and pressed Sports Kenya to fast-track critical works before the rainy season.
“Yatta MP Robert Basil demanded a detailed report from the Public Works Department within a week, outlining changes in the project’s scope, challenges faced by the contractor and fluctuations in material costs,” the statement noted.
“Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin called for all documentation relating to the works and contractual changes to be submitted urgently,” Parliament added.