Leaked Bomas contract shows Kenya's convention center jumped from Sh31.7bn to Sh45.1bn

The Ministry of Defence, which handled procurement and holds the contract, had declined to table the document, citing national security and commercial confidentiality, Money254 reported. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, whose ministry will own the center, told senators she would need Defence to give her a copy. CRBC signed in March 2025 for roughly Sh41.9 billion, about $324 million.

Most of the attention is on Sh2.57 billion in percentage-based "add sums" that are not tied to measured quantities of concrete, steel or labor. According to 254 News, they include a 3% design fee (Sh856.8 million), a 1% security allowance (Sh285.6 million) and a 5% provisional sum (Sh1.42 billion). The contract also holds a flat Sh4.97 billion for import taxes with no customs assessment behind it, Sh3.56 billion to fit out a presidential area and Sh2.76 billion for facade lighting, Money254 reported.

Stephen Mutoro, secretary-general of the consumer group COFEK, circulated the figures, repeated a description of the add sums as a "corruption allowance" and copied the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission into his post. That is his characterization; no finding of wrongdoing has been made. The Auditor-General had already flagged that direct procurement was approved on Feb. 17, 2025, while a competitive tender was still running.

Works were about 38% complete by mid-2026 and the schedule has been extended, 254 News reported. Senate committees are still asking for the payment records, variation orders and bills of quantities.