The Ministry of Sports is under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that over Ksh.1 billion was spent on hiring consultants for various projects in the Financial Year 2023/24. Appearing before the Sports and Culture Committee on Tuesday, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum was tasked with explaining how these funds were utilized, particularly when the country is grappling with economic challenges.

According to documents tabled before the committee, the ministry spent more than Ksh.1 billion on consultancy services. This raised concerns among lawmakers about government spending at a time when citizens are being urged to live within their means.

“Why would the ministry spend more than a billion paying hired consultants for projects such as Talanta stadium and sports academies? Why can’t the ministry use the services of experts from the Public Works Department?” Yatta MP Basil Ngui questioned during the session.

In his defense, PS Tum explained that the ministry had hired consultants from the University of Nairobi to spearhead several sports projects, including the Talanta stadium, which is earmarked to host some of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matches. However, Tum assured the committee that the ministry was reviewing these contracts to evaluate their value, revealing that some consultant contracts had already been terminated.

“The ministry has terminated contracts of some of the consultant firms in the new arrangements,” Tum stated.

The Talanta stadium, a flagship project for the ministry, is being constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with China Road and Bridge Corporation at an estimated cost of less than Ksh.36 billion. The project was initially championed by former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who described it as a game-changer for Kenyan sports infrastructure.

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In addition to concerns over the consultancy costs, Tum raised alarms about the lack of adequate funding for key sports entities, including the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

“ADAK and KAS are in the red. The services they are offering are critical to the sports industry, and I prevail upon this committee to intervene and have the two departments funded adequately,” he said.

The government has been under increasing pressure from the public over its high expenditure, with growing calls for accountability. The period from June to August 2024 saw the rise of Gen-Z protests demanding better governance and transparency, as citizens expressed frustration over the government’s fiscal management while they are urged to tighten their belts.