Nairobi, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has filed a civil suit seeking to recover Ksh.330 million paid out under what investigators describe as a fraudulent stadium tender ahead of the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).
The Tender in Question
Court papers filed on January 22, 2026 reveal that the EACC is pursuing Ksh.330,572,997.52 paid to Auditel Kenya under Tender No. MOSCA/CHAN/002/2017–2018. The contract covered the “design, supply, testing, commissioning and supervision of security, access control, communications, audiovisual and pitch lighting systems” for CHAN venues.
The contract, valued at USD 15.8 million (about Ksh.1.5 billion), was awarded in 2017 by the State Department for Sports Development. An advance payment of Ksh.330.5 million was transferred to Auditel Kenya’s account in Madrid, Spain, despite the absence of mandatory milestone completion certificates.
Key Figures Named
The suit names:
- Amb. Peter Kirimi Kaberia, former Sports Principal Secretary
- Nick Mwendwa, former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President
- Senior officials from the Ministry of Sports and Culture
- Directors of Restea Enterprise Ltd, Leasepride Limited, and Leasepath Limited
EACC alleges these individuals and entities benefited from kickbacks linked to the transaction.
Procurement Irregularities
Investigations uncovered multiple violations of procurement law, including:
- Single-sourced procurement without tender documents
- Absence of approved purchase requisition
- No bid bond furnished
- No tender opening or evaluation committees appointed
- Lack of professional opinion supporting the award
- No letter of award or acceptance issued
- No performance bond provided
EACC further noted that the advance payment was secured by a foreign bank guarantee that was never validated locally. Crucially, no deliveries were ever made under the contract.
Money Trail and Kickbacks
The commission’s filings detail how funds were allegedly distributed among companies and individuals involved in the procurement process. EACC argues that the payments amounted to illicit acquisition and laundering of proceeds of corruption.
Next Steps
EACC is seeking to recover the funds jointly and severally from the former Sports PS, former FKF President, and other officials. In addition to civil recovery proceedings, the commission has recommended criminal charges, including abuse of office and failure to comply with procurement laws.
The investigation file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
Conclusion
The case underscores Kenya’s ongoing struggle with corruption in public procurement, particularly in the sports sector. As EACC pursues recovery and accountability, the outcome will be closely watched for its implications on governance, transparency, and the protection of public resources.
