Cabinet Secretary Murkomen has told the Senate that the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports develops, maintains and manages stadia through Sports Kenya and that currently there are two stadia that are gazetted under the management of Sports Kenya i.e. Nyayo National Stadium and Moi international Stadium, whereas the other stadia are under respective counties and are managed by the respective County Governments with some receiving the support of the National Government.

Responding a question raised by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka to indicate the respective state of operation of all the sports stadia in Kenya, The CS stated that ccurrently, there is no clear framework of intergovernmental relations in regards to development and management of sports facilities.

“The Ministry, through Sports Kenya, has developed a Master Plan categorizing sports infrastructure in line with international standards in the following manner; International Stadia: Category 4 (Over 30,000); National Stadia: Category 3A (15,000 - below 30,000); Regional/ County Stadia; Category 3B (Between 10,000 -below 15.000); Community Grounds (A); Category 2 (Between 5,000 - below 10,000) 5) Community Grounds (B); Category 1 (Less than 5,000)” CS Murkomen explained.

The CS revealed that to standardize the development of sports stadiums the Ministry sought the services of the Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) to develop the standard prototypes for various categories of stadia. The prototypes were recently submitted to the Ministry and going forward, we now can plan the development of the facilities with estimated costs hence avoid wastage and create standardized facilities.

He further stated that considering that the Ministry receives zero allocation from the exchequer for the development of sports facilities, the Ministry sought and received approval from the National Treasury, to securitize the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to raise enough resources to complete stalled projects and develop others, especially in preparation for CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027. Although Sports Kenya is mandated by Law to develop, manage and enforce standards and regulations for sports facilities there are no currently no approved regulations. To bridge this gap, the Ministry is in the process of developing standards and regulations for all stadia development and management in the country. The Ministry will soon be tabling to both Houses the Sports Stadia Regulations and Standards for consideration and approval.

The CS, addressing the legislative and policy gaps in the sports sector, he said that the Ministry has Gazetted a Taskforce to review sports policy and law to align it with the 2010 Constitution respecting the two levels of Government and incorporate emerging issues including inclusivity, and sports science and technology.

The Senate was also informed that Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani are currently undergoing refurbishment in preparation for CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027.

”It should be noted by this House that the Ministry does not receive budgetary allocation from the National Treasury; the resources are sourced from Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund, with an exception of very minimal support of Ksh20 million towards the construction of Malinya Community Grounds in Ikolomani, Kakamega County.” He stated.

Responding to a question on the scope and costs associated with consultancy services for stadia development, including their design, feasibility study and project management, CS Murkomen said that Sports Kenya entered into consultancy agreements for design and project management with the below listed consortiums through a public procurement competitive process. Regional consultants were procured competitively through a tender process in Financial Year 2016/2017. The budget for the period in question was Ksh. 267,112,973.45 out which Ksh. 154,054,993.99 has been paid leaving a balance of Ksh.103,934,084.15.

On the matter of University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services Ltd, Murkomen stated that Kenya submitted her bid to host the AFCON games 2025, an assessment of the sports facilities by the African Football governing body (CAF) gave a status report with action areas of refurbishment for the facilities to be compliant It is noted that the return of Kenya to participation in international football competitions requires that, both the national team and representing clubs to have compliant domestic venues for home matches. The absence of compliant domestic venues would mean that championship matches be played on foreign soil. 

“Kenya is on CAF/FIFA sanctions for non-compliant facilities, for the only international facilities that are available (That is MISC &NNS). This calls for immediate and urgent attention to refurbishments the stadia. Sports Kenya signed a framework agreement with University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services (UNES) Ltd for the provision of consultancy services for Architectural design, Engineering services and Project supervision on the 18th May 2023 pursuant to the public procurement and Asset disposal Act 2015 section 4 (2)(c) for three years. “The Sports CS added.

He further reported that the sports Kenya has tasked UNES Ltd to come up with architectural design, engineering specifications and bills of quantities for the above CAF and AFCON requirements. i) Moi International Sports Centre ii) Taining Fields (Kasarani Annex, Kenya Academy of Sports) iii) Police Sacco, Ulinzi iv) Kipchoge Keino Stadium v) 64 Stadium, Eldoret Polytechnic and University of Eldoret vi) Installation of Tartan Tracks.

The execution of the consultancy shall be in accordance with the Ministry of Public Works Conditions of Engagement and Scale of Fees for Professional Services for Building Works 1987 Edition and subsequent revision So far, UNES has been paid Ksh. 15,283,590.83 for reconnaissance survey and benchmarking exercise. Payment is according to scale fees by public works.

Finally, CS Murkomen stated that currently there are no expression of interest from the private sector to develop sports stadia. However, the Ministry is engaging various partners to encourage PPPs in the development and management of sports facilities.