Sports PS Tum grilled by MPs over status of Talanta Stadium ahead of AFCON 2027

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Sports questioned the PS on what exactly will be the role of the military in the rollout plan; the PS even failed to disclose just how much the project would cost and what will be the source of the money.

Days after President William Ruto broke the ground for the 60,000 fans stadium, there remain more questions than answers as to the rollout plan and financing. Members of the sports committee are keen on how much the project will cost and the source of funds.

“Is this a PPP or a direct purchase of ministry and government and what will be the cost and BQS?” Asked Matungulu MP, Stephen Mule.

PS, Sports Peter Tum added: “This idea of construction of Talanta Stadium is a concerted government effort by various ministries working together…we have my ministry and defence.”

At the groundbreaking event, the president directed the Kenya defence forces and the line Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to take charge of the project monitoring.

“We want this stadium to be built to world-class standards, using military discipline. So I will expect our Defense Chiefs Aden Duale, the CDF and your team, to make sure that all the timelines we have agreed are kept by the contractor,” Ruto said.

“We are here under your instructions just as project managers. We assure, before the contractor that all will be done and the timelines be met for AFCON 2027,” stated Duale.

Ordinarily, such a project were it to be financed through the budget would require an open tendering system, following the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, of 2015. The sports ministry has only allocated 6.4 billion shillings for the sports, arts and social development fund in the current budget. No part of that allocation was specified for the Talanta stadium.

“We are interested, you might not have actual figures, how much will Talanta City cost Kenyans,” MP Mule said.

In his response to the MP, the PS said: “Hon. Member, bwana Mule, let me promise you that as we do this, let us give the information in writing as we do our submission, so that we consult with the defence on figures, thank you.”

China Road and Bridge Corporation which built the standard gauge railway and the expressway was unveiled last week as the contractor. Not clear if they will do so as part of a public-private partnership, in which case they’d use their money and recover over a period of time. 

Still, the public-private partnerships law of 2021 has four paths of procurement. They are direct procurement, privately initiated proposals, competitive bidding and restricted bidding. 

Each mode of procurement requires unique circumstances to be used. The PS could not explain how the government settled on CRBC.

“This is a football alone stadium and we will be able to see how somebody can adopt and run it….it is not final…is in discussion on how to generate funds using that stadium,” said PS Tum.

“It is a unique design that oozes a distinct Kenyan flavour that has been curated to reflect the very best of Kenyan culture,” Sports CS Ababu Namwamba said on Friday.

Ordinarily, the client ministerial department takes charge of infrastructural works, assisted by the Public Works department. For the new stadium, the military will take charge.

“When defence takes over a project they implement as per timelines. We are not indicting the Ministry of Works, we are just saying such projects that require timelines are observed,” noted the PS.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka had earlier said: “The only objection, look at general Badi at Nairobi county, […], you can't go to military to summon badi. The law doesn’t allow you. These are military people.”

The sports PS was tasked to report back to the committee in writing on the various questions raised.