The parliamentary sports committee toured the stalled Kipchoge Keino Stadium project in Eldoret which is to be completed at a cost of Sh3.5 billion.
Committee chairman Dan Wanyama who is also MP for Webuye West said MPs were angered by delays on the project whose construction started over a decade ago.
The project will be completed within the next 15 months ahead of the AFCON games in 2027.
“The government will give advance payment of Sh300 million to the contractor next week so that work can start immediately,” Wanyama said.
He said the MPs were touring the stadium as part of its oversight role and that it would do frequent follow ups to ensure the work is done within the set time.
“This time we will be tough and I can assure you heads will roll if this work is not done within the set time,” Wanyama said.
He said all issues surrounding the stalled project had been sorted out to ensure the work proceeds smoothly.
KDF will supervise work on the stadium where the upgrade will include modernisation of VIP area, sitting areas and putting up a canopy over the stadium along with drainage, lighting and other systems.
Once completed, it will have a capacity of over 15,000 people and will have modern facilities to be able to host international tournaments.
The committee members questioned why the government went for direct tendering for the project with Wanyama promising they would follow up on the matter.
He said the committee would be keen to ensure quality work is done on the stadium and cautioned the contractor that poor workmanship would not be entertained.
“We are putting the Ministry of Sports on notice that the timelines must be met and if that won’t happen then heads will roll,” Wanyama said.
He said the construction had taken too long yet the facility was useful to the country’s athletics fraternity.
“If we can’t provide the facilities we need here to serve our athletes then we will be doing a great disservice to them and that is unacceptable.”
He said the ministry had given commitment in implementation of the project and the committee would be back in Eldoret to confirm that work was ongoing.
He said pressure for completion of the Kasarani and Nyayo stadium repairs ahead of the CHAN games in August had delayed work on Kipchoge stadium but all was now set to move.
The committee later headed to Kakamega to visit the Bukhungu stadium.
Other members of the committee present included nominated MP Bishop Jackson Kosgey and Turbo MP Janet Sitienei among others.
