Renovation works at Nyayo Stadium have been suspended after the contractor stopped operations over an outstanding Ksh984 million payment. During a meeting on Tuesday, October 6, the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare was informed that only Ksh200 million has been paid against the Ksh1.184 billion contract. The unpaid balance has left the contractor off-site as the government works to prepare the facility for its role as a training venue during Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. Several components of the upgrade have already been completed, including drainage improvements, floodlights and CCTV installations. However, key works are still pending, including linking the floodlights to the national grid and installing LED screens and a scoreboard. The remaining work also covers perimeter improvements, turnstiles, ticketing infrastructure and facilities designed to improve access for persons with disabilities. Committee chair and West Pokot County Senator Julius Murgor called for government agencies involved in the preparations to coordinate more closely on safety, accessibility and emergency arrangements. He specifically directed that the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi County be brought into the preparations if they had not already been involved. “If the Ministry of Labour and Nairobi County have not been involved so far, please begin by sending out their invitations today,” he stated.The committee said it will include its findings from the Nyayo Stadium inspection in a report covering the facility and the recent assessment of Talanta Stadium. The report will inform discussions with relevant ministries and the National Treasury over the money required to complete the outstanding works. Funding concerns come after Members of Parliament previously raised questions over Ksh2.176 billion in pending bills linked to projects under the State Department for Sports. Sports officials had attributed part of those obligations to stadium construction and rehabilitation projects, with lawmakers warning that inadequate funding could leave projects unfinished and increase government liabilities.
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