Bien questions Talanta Stadium construction cost, accuses gov't of neglecting local athletes

• Bien argued that while the government was investing in a monumental facility that could become part of President William Ruto's legacy, the Sports Ministry was failing to adequately support Kenya's established sporting talent.

Musician Bien-Aimé Baraza has criticised the government over the amount of money spent on the construction of Talanta Stadium.

In an interview on Monday, November 2, the singer questioned the inflated cost of constructing the stadium, saying the funds could have been directed towards supporting local sportsmen and women, and paying footballers their allowances.

Bien argued that while the government was investing in a monumental facility that could become part of President William Ruto's legacy, the Sports Ministry was failing to adequately support Kenya's established sporting talent.

"The problem with Talanta Stadium is the inflated cost of its construction. That money could have been put to better use. You are building a monumental facility for your own legacy, something you want to be remembered for, yet the Sports Ministry is not taking care of Kenya's sports elite," he said.

Bien clarified that his criticism was not directed at the construction of the stadium itself but at the government's spending priorities.

"This is a misplaced priority thing. It's not that we don't want Talanta Stadium. We want our footballers to be paid their allowances, and we want our football league to function properly," he added.

Bien further highlighted the challenges facing individual athletes, citing the case of skater Kevin Kiarie who was expected to represent the country in an international competition but failed to receive the financial and institutional support needed to participate.

"There is a skater who was supposed to represent the country in a global competition, and he consistently wins whenever he competes. However, he did not receive the support he needed to participate," he pointed out.

Bien also criticised the expenditure involved in bringing prominent international football clubs to Kenya, arguing that the government should prioritise developing local talent.

"How do we continue misappropriating our funds and spending billions of shillings bringing Bayern here and bringing other international teams, yet our own sportsmen and women are struggling? I feel there is a disconnect," he further said.

Bien maintained that Talanta Stadium would remain a valuable public facility long after the current administration left office, however, questioning whether the benefits of the project justified its construction cost.

"It is not that we do not want a stadium. Once Ruto leaves office, that stadium will still be here for Kenyans to use. We can hold concerts there and host other events. But at what cost?" he asked.

This comes a day after Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi clarified that the government will not spend public funds to bring Bayern Munich and Ajax to Kenya for the launch of the stadium.

Speaking on Saturday, October 31, Mwangi said the government has secured sponsors who will facilitate the match between the two European football giants.

"We are not using government money. We have gone ahead and gotten sponsors who are coming on board and have given support. That is why those teams will be coming," he clarified.

Mwangi also dismissed reports that it will be the Bayern legends who will feature against the Ajax team.

He noted that the team that the government approached to feature during the Talanta stadium launch is the main team.

"I want to put it on record that the team that will be coming will be the main team. I have seen some people saying we will be bringing legends. The team that we have approached is the main team," he added.

Further, Mwangi said Bayern Munich and Ajax have millions of fans, and bringing the teams to Kenya will put the country on the global stage.

"If we bring teams that have a worldwide following of over 300 million people, what does that mean? We will be displaying what we have as a country," he further said.