Willis Otieno faults Ruto over promise to build 25 stadiums before AFCON 2027
By David Nthua, August 29, 2025Constitution Lawyer Willis Otieno has questioned whether President William Ruto followed the right channel in his promise to build at least 25 stadiums across Kenya.
Through his official X handle on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Willis cautioned that such a declaration risks being unlawful if not backed by budgetary provisions approved by Parliament.
He cited various constitutional clauses that regulate the use of public funds, saying Ruto’s stadium pledge appeared more like a roadside declaration than a lawful policy directive.
Ruto’s pledge to Kenyans
President Ruto, while speaking during a sports function, announced: “I have already instructed the ministry and we have agreed to build another 25 stadia across the country. Mvurya and team know that those stadia must be ready in time for AFCON in 2027.”
The Head of State, dressed in Harambee Stars colours, added that the stadia would be part of preparations to host the continental tournament.
The remarks have since sparked heated debate over feasibility and accountability, given the government’s past failures to deliver similar promises.
Legal concerns raised
Otieno responded by invoking specific constitutional provisions.
“Article 201 – all public money must be accounted for transparently and lawfully.
“Article 221 & 222 – no spending without parliamentary approval through the Appropriations Act. Article 223 – emergency expenditures must still be regularised by Parliament within two months,” he wrote.
The lawyer further questioned whether the pledge was ever included in critical financial documents.
“Was this pledge in the Budget Policy Statement, the Finance Bill, or the Appropriations Act? If not, then it is nothing but an illegal roadside declaration with no lawful funding,” Otieno stated.
According to him, the Constitution is clear that all public expenditure must undergo legislative scrutiny, and bypassing that process undermines transparency and accountability.
A history of unfulfilled pledges
The debate has also drawn parallels with previous stadium promises made ahead of past elections, many of which stalled or never took off.
Critics argue that making fresh commitments without addressing past failures only erodes public trust.
Otieno concluded that Kenya’s dream to host AFCON can only be realised if projects are anchored in law and subjected to proper financial planning.
Otherwise, he warned, Kenyans risk being treated to political rhetoric instead of genuine development.