Renovation works at the Nyayo National Stadium have stalled following the contractor’s exit from the works site over delayed payments, with the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare being informed of a KSh984 million unpaid balance on the project.

The committee was told during an inspection of the stadium on Tuesday, October 6, that only KSh200 million had been released against the KSh1.184 billion contract, with the contractor currently off site pending payment of a further KSh650 million instalment.

“Currently, the contractor is asking for about 650 million. We have not received this money,” said Sports Kenya Deputy Director-General Gabriel Komora before the committee.

The funding shortfall has delayed several remaining works as Kenya prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania.

The upgrades needed at the stadium are already underway, with works completed on drainage, floodlights, and CCTV improvements. However, committee members were told that the stadium’s floodlights needed to be connected to the national grid, while among other unfinished works, were the installation of LED screens and scoreboard, works on the perimeter, turnstiles and ticketing systems and adaptations for persons with disabilities.

“We expected Nyayo Stadium to be a training ground, not a match venue, during AFCON. The stadium is still in use, but some works cannot be done until funding is available,” the officials said.

The committee noted that there were several other matters calling for attention, in addition to the request for funds. It also urged more intensive inter-ministerial co-ordination in the management of the stadium.

Committee Chairperson Senator Julius Murgor said the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi City County should be involved in examining occupational health, accessibility and emergency management issues. If the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi County have not been involved so far, please start by sending out their invitations today.

In its recommendations, the committee noted that while the upgrades being undertaken were timely, given the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, they should be mindful of the need for safety and accessibility in the longer term.

The Senate committee will integrate its findings from the Nyayo Stadium visit with its observations on the state of readiness of Talanta Stadium, which it recently inspected, before finalizing its report to the relevant ministries and the National Treasury on the resources required to complete the outstanding works.

“There is a strong expectation that funds will be released to commence works in October. The amount requested by the contractor is 650 million. However, the amount that is not paid under the contract is 984 million,” said the committee.

As preparations for AFCON 2027 continue, the committee is now set to look into both the funding of the remaining works on the stadium as well as to promote more co-ordination among the various agencies involved in the works and certification of the stadium.