Kenyan MPs Grill Sports CS Ababu Namwamba Over Mismanagement Allegations
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba has been grilled by Members of Parliament from Kenya Kwanza over his perceived failures in the management of sports in the country.
The MPs, led by Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, accused Namwamba of mismanaging the sports docket and failing to provide adequate support to Kenyan athletes.
Shollei cited the hardships that Kenyan athletes have faced at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as an example of Namwamba’s failures. She said that the athletes have been made to fly economy class while ministry officials fly business class and first class.
She also said that the athletes have been given fake uniforms and shoes, and that doping is rampant in the country.
Cherargei and Ichung’wah echoed Shollei’s sentiments, and called for Namwamba to be summoned to Parliament to answer to the allegations against him.
Namwamba has denied the allegations, and said that he is committed to providing the best possible support to Kenyan athletes. He said that he is working to address the challenges that the athletes are facing, and that he is confident that Kenya will continue to be a leading force in sports.
The grilling of Namwamba is the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged the sports docket in recent months. In May, the Ministry of Sports was criticized for its handling of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which was held in Cameroon.
The tournament was marred by violence and poor organization, and Kenya’s team was eliminated in the group stage.
The allegations against Namwamba have raised concerns about the state of sports in Kenya. The country has a long and proud history of sporting success, but it is clear that there are serious problems that need to be addressed.
The grilling of Namwamba is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. The government needs to take concrete steps to improve the management of sports in Kenya, and to ensure that the athletes have the support they need to succeed.