By Mumo Judah, Nairobi, June 3, 2026
Nominated Senator Beth Syengo has raised concerns over the payment of approximately KSh42 million for insurance brokerage services linked to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), calling for a thorough investigation into the procurement process and the circumstances surrounding the expenditure.
The senator wants the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to probe the payment made to Riskwell Insurance Brokers Limited, a company she says was reportedly registered shortly before the tournament. She further questioned whether the firm was duly licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) at the time it was engaged to provide the insurance brokerage services.
According to the senator, records from the Insurance Regulatory Authority indicate that the company may not have been licensed as an insurance broker during the period in which the services were procured and the payment processed, raising questions about compliance with existing insurance and procurement regulations.
The concerns were raised in the Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers intensified scrutiny over the management of public resources associated with major sporting events hosted by the country.
Sen. Syengo is seeking a detailed explanation on how the KSh42 million payment was approved and processed. She wants the committee to establish the source of the funds used, identify the authority that approved the expenditure, determine when the payment was made, reveal the beneficiary account, and clarify the institution responsible for initiating the transaction.
The senator has also questioned why Riskwell Insurance Brokers Limited was selected for the assignment and wants a comprehensive account of the procurement process that led to its engagement. She is demanding information on the number of bids or quotations received, the evaluation criteria applied during the selection process, the amounts submitted by competing bidders, and the justification for awarding the contract to the successful firm.
A key area of concern for the lawmaker is the reported exclusion of members of the CHAN 2024 Local Organising Committee from the insurance procurement and payment process. She noted that the committee was mandated to oversee tournament planning, risk management and coordination, yet members were allegedly neither fully involved nor adequately briefed on decisions relating to the insurance cover.
The senator argues that the exclusion raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of the tournament’s operational requirements, particularly given the significance of insurance coverage in mitigating risks associated with hosting a major continental sporting competition.
In her request to the committee, Sen. Syengo also wants an explanation regarding the circumstances under which the Local Organising Committee was sidelined from decisions relating to insurance procurement despite its central role in tournament preparations.
The committee is further expected to outline the steps being taken by relevant institutions to safeguard public funds and establish accountability where irregularities may have occurred. Among the agencies expected to provide clarification are the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, the Football Kenya Federation, the Insurance Regulatory Authority, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, and investigative agencies.
The senator is also seeking details on any actions being taken to recover funds in the event that irregular payments are established, as well as measures being implemented to prevent similar occurrences during future international sporting events hosted by Kenya.
The latest concerns add to growing scrutiny over procurement and expenditure decisions linked to major public projects and events, with legislators increasingly demanding greater transparency and stronger oversight mechanisms in the management of public resources.
The Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare is expected to review the matter and provide a response on the issues raised, including the legality of the procurement process and the accountability measures being pursued by the relevant authorities.
