The High Court has nullified a tender for renovating Kenyatta Municipal Stadium in Trans Nzoia County, citing procurement fraud and irregularities. As if it were not enough, the court has ordered the recovery of over Ksh25 million from individuals involved in the flawed deal.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsIn a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, 30 April, Justice Nixon Sifuna declared the tender for the stadium’s renovation and the construction of spectator sheds illegal and void.##NAJAVA_MECA_8894342##He directed that former county officials and the contractor who received the funds refund Ksh25,334,525.50 to the Kenyan government.The case, filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), sought to recover public funds allegedly paid fraudulently in the execution of the stadium’s facelift project.Among those named in the suit was Joseph Muindi Tevulo, the former Head of Supply Chain Management in Trans Nzoia County, who reportedly signed the contested contracts. Also listed was the late Benjamin Ruto Timitim, the County Architect, who oversaw the works.We have done our homework well, says Rising Stars coach ahead of AFCON debut against MoroccoHowever, the case against him was terminated due to his death. The third defendant, Robert Simiyu Wambulwa, trading as KOYI Building Contractors, was identified as the direct recipient of the disputed payments.“This court considers the subject transaction as an execution of illegality, rather than the rendering of a service. It does not matter how well you do that work, how hard you work, or how honest you later become with it. You are executing an illegality. So, we will not consider any good that comes out of that,” Justice Sifuna declared in his ruling.The judge offered a vivid analogy in his ruling, comparing the illegality to “the proverbial elephant in the Seven Sisters,” where each observer may see the elephant differently; one the tusk, another the flank, but regardless of the perspective, the entity remains an elephant.“So, it’s an illegality, no matter how you argue,” he said.Mozzart Bet Cup: Gor Mahia, Homeboyz eye semifinal spotsJustice Sifuna ordered that the three defendants jointly and severally refund the entire amount to the government, with interest at commercial rates from the date the suit was filed until full payment is made.The cancelled project formed part of a broader Ksh657 million initiative launched years ago to restore the long-neglected stadium, which has historically served as a vital sports facility in the region.The first phase of the upgrade was to include a FIFA-standard pitch, a 400-meter World Athletics-compliant track, VIP and fans’ terraces, changing rooms, and indoor games facilities.##NAJAVA_MECA_8894211##Kenyatta Stadium, built in 1958, was once famous for football in the region and has been acting as a training ground for several teams, including FKF Women’s Premier League side Trans Nzoia Falcons.Its delayed construction has prompted local teams to seek alternatives such as the privately owned Ndura Sports Complex.
