The spotlight is once again on Kenya’s Sports Ministry after a staggering Sh1.4 billion expenditure on consultancy services for African Cup of Nations (AFCON) stadiums raised serious questions over accountability.

High-ranking officials, including Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum, found themselves summoned on Monday to explain the disbursement of these vast sums, much of which was spent against the direct orders of President William Ruto.

At the centre of the storm is the Sh1.057 billion reportedly spent on consultancy services tied to AFCON stadiums, alongside Sh352 million allocated for regional consultancy services.

The spending has drawn fierce public backlash, with many questioning how such colossal amounts were funnelled into private consultancy firms while basic infrastructure needs remain unmet.

The key players in this unfolding drama are members of the Sports Fund board, the body responsible for approving projects and payments.

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Among them are Tum, alongside notable figures like Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, Education PS Belio Kipsang, National Treasury’s Chris Kiptoo, and Sports Fund chairman Jack Tuwei.

These officials now face mounting pressure to justify the spending amidst growing public discontent.

Beyond consultancy fees, an additional Sh700 million was used for construction work at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, while Sh167.35 million went towards the Kenya Sports Academy in Nairobi.

Despite these hefty investments, the ministry’s dealings with private consultants have ignited widespread concern over potential mismanagement.

A source within the ministry, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, described the consultancies as “a skunk,” lamenting that they blatantly disregarded a directive from President Ruto.

“The officials have many questions to answer,” the source added, alluding to possible repercussions.

The summons came swiftly, with officials being called in shortly after 2 p.m. to account for their actions.

Among the issues under investigation are the procedures followed in hiring consultants—whether the services were openly advertised, whether evaluation reports exist, and the details surrounding the contracts and bidders.

Investigators are also looking into the possibility of close ties between the consultancy firms and senior ministry officials, specifically PS Tum, Sports Kenya CEO Pius Metto, and Sports Fund CEO Nuh Ibrahim.

There are whispers of a larger battle brewing behind the scenes, with reports suggesting an attempt to merge Sports Kenya and the Kenya Academy of Sports under Metto’s control.

If true, this could explain the frenzy of unapproved consultancy spending, a situation aggravated by the ministry’s failure to adhere to President Ruto’s strict no-consultants directive for AFCON 2027 projects.

The president’s decree, issued on 1st July 2024, dismissed all Cabinet Secretaries, including the former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, leaving a vacuum that may have allowed opportunistic officials to strike questionable deals.

Namwamba, just days before his exit, had written a letter on 26th June ordering the termination of all consultancy contracts related to AFCON.

In the letter titled "Cancellation of All Consultant Contracts and Standardisation of Infrastructure Project Costs," he warned that the government was losing millions through uncoordinated consultancy schemes.

Tum, in his defence, told a parliamentary committee that some of the consultants were from the University of Nairobi and insisted that the ministry was in the process of reviewing their contracts to determine the value delivered.

“The ministry has terminated contracts of some of the consultants firms in the new arrangements,” he assured.

As the inquiry deepens, the fate of these officials hangs in the balance.

The call for transparency grows louder as Kenyans, weary of repeated financial scandals, demand answers.

With the country’s ambition to co-host AFCON 2027 now jeopardised by these allegations, the scandal threatens to unravel Kenya’s sporting agenda at a critical juncture.

The country may face not only reputational damage but also the loss of a golden opportunity to stage Africa’s premier football tournament.