The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture when they toured Wote Stadium on Friday August 15, 2025. Photos by PBU 
By Andrew Mbuva
The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture has uncovered glaring irregularities in the stalled construction of Wote Stadium, raising red flags over possible mismanagement of public funds running into millions.
During an inspection tour of the site yesterday, the legislators, led by Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, expressed shock at the slow pace of work despite the project having already consumed Ksh.194 million.
“It is unacceptable that after nearly Sh200 million has been spent, we still don’t have a pavilion, the running track is incomplete, and the football pitch does not meet FIFA standards,” said Hon. Mule. “Taxpayers cannot be expected to finance unapproved projects.”
The Committee was alarmed to learn that although official records indicated Ksh.226 million had been allocated to the stadium as of June 30, 2025, the contractor had only received Ksh.194 million. Yet, even with this expenditure, critical facilities remained unfinished — including the 1,500-seat pavilion, boundary wall, gates, and borehole.
Adding to the controversy, the contractor, Mark Muendo, was found to have undertaken unauthorised works worth Sh93 million, such as building a retaining wall and gabions, without approval from Sports Kenya.
Busia County MP Catherine Omanyo blasted the contractor for poor value delivery:
“What we have seen here is not commensurate with Sh194 million. This is a raw deal for Kenyans.”
The Committee also faulted Sports Kenya for subcontracting electrical and mechanical works separately from the main contractor. Investigations revealed that even the subcontractor further subcontracted the drilling of a borehole, which now lies abandoned.
Yatta MP Robert Basil demanded a full report from the Department of Public Works within a week, capturing changes in project scope, material cost fluctuations, and explanations for the delays.
Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin called for “all documents relating to contractual variations and payments to be tabled immediately,” while Turbo MP Janet Sitienei urged Sports Kenya to speed up funding “to secure the retaining wall and gabions before the rains cause further damage.”
In his defense, Muendo blamed delayed payments for the project’s stalling:
“We cannot move at the expected pace when payments are not released on time. I appeal to the Committee to push for timely disbursements.”
Acting Sports Kenya Director General Gabriel Komora assured MPs that the government was committed to completing the long-delayed stadium.
“We have listened to the concerns raised, and we will fast-track pending works to ensure Makueni residents finally get a stadium that meets international standards,” he said.
The Wote Stadium is among seven regional stadium projects launched with much fanfare but now plagued by delays, ballooning costs, and questions of accountability.
