High Court cancels stadium tender over fraud, orders refund of Ksh.25M

The High Court has cancelled a tender for the renovation of the Kenyatta Municipal Stadium and construction of spectator sheds in Trans Nzoia County, citing fraud and procurement irregularities.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday afternoon, the court declared the tender null and void, directing that over Ksh.25 million be refunded to the government by former county officials and the contractor involved.

The case was filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which sought to recover Ksh.25,334,525.50 in public funds allegedly paid fraudulently for the two projects.

Among the defendants was Joseph Muindi Tevulo, the former Head of Supply Chain Management at the county, who allegedly signed the contracts.

Also named was Benjamin Ruto Timitim, the County Architect who supervised the works. The suit against him was terminated following his death.

The third defendant was Robert Simiyu Wambulwa, trading as KOYI Building Contractors, who received the disputed payments.

"The defendants shall jointly and severally refund the entire sum paid by the County Government of Trans Nzoia. Interest is hereby awarded on the said amount at commercial rates from the date the suit was filed until payment is made in full,” ruled Justoce Nixon Sifuna.

The ruling marks a significant win for the EACC in its ongoing efforts to recover misappropriated public funds.