A House Committee has expressed its commitment towards ensuring adequate and timely funding of stadiums under construction ahead of the key continental football championships.
The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture said it will push for timely and regular disbursement of funds for the stadiums identified for the hosting of CHAN and AFCON championships.
The Committee chairman Hon Dan Wanyama noted with concern that delay in release of funds and long procurement practices were some of the reasons that caused stagnation of the projects
“The Committee is committed to ensuring that funds are allocated in the budget for the projects and also timely disbursement of the cash,” said Hon. Wanyama.
He added: “As an oversight Committee, we will ensure that construction and renovation of the stadiums are completed within the set timelines.”
He noted that President Dr William Ruto has expressed his desire to have the stadiums ready to host CHAN and AFCON.
“As a Committee in charge of oversighting the Sports Ministry, we have no option but to ensure that the president’s agenda is delivered,” he said.
The Webuye West MP was speaking at Masinde Muliro stadium in Bungoma County upon completion of a fact finding tour of stadiums in Western region under construction ahead of the championships.
Other stadiums that the Committee visited to assess their construction status include Kipchoge Keino in Uasin Gishu county, Bukhungu and Malinya in Kakamega County.
MPs on the tour included Hon Wamacukuru Gathua, Hon Basil Robert, Hon Charles Nguna, Hon Janet Sitienei, Hon Catherine Omanyo, Hon Elsie Muhanda and Hon Jackson Kosgey.
At Kipchoge Keino stadium the MPs were concerned about the delayed renovation of the iconic facility that is in the heart of athletes who have put the country on an international map.
The stadium is together with Kasarani and Nyayo in Nairobi are earmarked to host CHAN in August this year.
Yatta MP Hon Basil Robert questioned the legitimacy of the project contractor selection process.
“Why did the government single source the China’s Sinohydro Construction company to undertake renovations after terminating the contract of the firm that was working on the facility,” said Hon. Basil.
Hon Wanyama questioned why the company also demanded for a 20 percent down payment after it was single sourced.
He noted that failure by the government to pay the down payment made the construction firm not to commence works on the project.
“When a company is single sourced it means it has the capacity to do the work so while demand for a down payment,?” posed Hon Wanyama.
Hon Sitienei asked the constructor to ensure that a high quality race track is laid for the benefit of athletes.
Hon Caroli wondered why the constructor has failed to mobilize on ground.
“We were expected to see heavy machines on site to show that something is going on,” he added.
The chairman explained that Kshs.3.5 billion has been allocated for the renovations and Kshs. 300 million to be paid to facilitate mobilisation by the constructor.
The Kenya Defense Forces will be supervising the construction works of the stadium in Eldoret town.
At Bukhungu members were unhappy that the first phase was done without considering people living with disabilities.
The Committee noted that the National government’s decision to take over completion of the remaining phases of the stadium from the county would ensure speedy completion of the facility.
