- Senators stunned by slow progress on a stadium project despite Ksh. 750 million already spent.
- The site is said to be less than 50% complete, with shoddy work raising eyebrows.
- Original World Bank funding was withdrawn; county took over the stalled project.
A group of senators visiting Eldoret were left frustrated by the sorry state of a stalled stadium project, despite hundreds of millions already sunk into the construction. Led by Taita Taveta Senator and Committee Vice Chair Johnes Mwaruma, the team raised concern over the poor progress at the site.
Mwaruma did not hold back, describing the half-finished structure as “an eyesore” and insisted that urgent steps be taken to get the contractor back to work. He called on the county government to initiate talks with the builder and fast-track completion.
Missed Targets and Withdrawn Funding
The project, which was initially bankrolled by the World Bank, faced a major setback after the lender pulled out. Since then, the county government took over the work, but even revised timelines have not been met. The stadium, which was supposed to be ready by 2022, is now expected to be completed by December 2025.
The senators were shocked to learn that despite the high budget, the project remains incomplete and well behind schedule.
Quality of Work Under Question
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei expressed deep dissatisfaction with the work done so far. He dismissed claims by the county that the facility was 70% done, saying what they saw on the ground told a completely different story.
“This region has produced top athletes,” Cherargei noted, “yet the lack of serious infrastructure investment feels like a betrayal to the youth who bring pride to this country.”
Other Senators Echo Concerns
Senators Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), Mwenda Gataya (Tharaka Nithi), and Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) were also part of the oversight visit and raised similar concerns. They warned that if the slow pace continues, the cost could balloon further while delivering little in return.
They stressed the need to avoid wasting more taxpayer money and demanded a clear plan of action to ensure the stadium is finished without further delays.
Committee Demands Accountability
The Senate committee has now turned up the pressure on the county leadership, calling for transparency and responsibility in handling the project. They warned that unless strict measures are taken, the region risks losing a vital facility that would benefit both athletes and the local economy.
All eyes are now on the county to show commitment and ensure the sports complex becomes a reality, not another failed public project.
