Ababu to face hostile MPs over athletes welfare

 

Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba is today set to appear before the National Assembly to shed light on the affairs of the ministry at a time when he is facing criticism from several MPs over alleged mismanagement of his docket.

Namwamba, who will appear before the plenary, is expected to explain the role of the Ministry in facilitating the Kenyan team that participated in the Special Olympics held in Berlin, Germany, in June 2023 as well as the Management of Aquatic Sports.

The committee on Sports, which is chaired by Webuye West MP Daniel Wanyama, had said it would summon the Cabinet Secretary to explain why he was not at the airport to welcome back home 25 sportspersons who participated in the Special Olympics. This was after some members complained about the reception of the athletes.

The 25 athletes, who participated in the 2023 Special Olympics games held from 15 to 25 June, visited Parliament last week.

The Special Olympics Games are international sporting events for participants with intellectual disabilities.

“We will summon the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to appear before the Committee. He will explain, in writing, why he was not in a position to receive these athletes who have given us a good name in the world,” said Wanyama.

Wanyama pledged to summon Namwamba after several MPs including leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah, Marakwet East MP Kagongo Bowen, Busia Woman Rep Catherine Omanyo and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi complained that the ministry was not treating the sports people well.

Ambassadors

Ichung’wah said it was wrong that the athletes left and came back to the country without due recognition by the ministry charged with the responsibility.

“On behalf of the government of Kenya, let me take this opportunity to apologize profoundly to these great sportsmen and women of our country. Even as I apologise, the Cabinet Secretary must appear before this House,” he said.

He added: “You are not made a Cabinet Secretary to fly flags on the streets, push and bulldoze your way through traffic with Subaru escorts. You are a Cabinet Secretary to serve the people. If you were made the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Sports, you must serve sportsmen and women of this country, our best ambassadors.”

Bowen backed President William Ruto’s claim that some Cabinet Secretaries were “clueless and are not aware of what is happening in their dockets”.

“Athletes are the real ambassadors of this country. They must be accorded the respect they deserve. Apart from competing, they must also be rewarded very well. I think we are the only country where we only go to the airport to welcome our athletes, but there is no reward to encourage them in their next championships.”

Omanyo sought to know why the team was discriminated against, saying they were not even received at the airport when they returned.

Talanta Hela

Wanyonyi said the Special Olympics team deserved better treatment by the ministry.
“He did not flag off or receive them when they came back and he has not even acknowledged them. That is not the way to go.

The Cabinet Secretary must show that this team is representing Kenya. They are Kenyans and need to be given recognition like anybody else who has performed well.”
Yesterday, Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Shollei also criticised Namwamba’s management of the Ministry.

Speaking on a local TV show, Shollei said Namwamba had not implemented most of the Ministry’s policies, including creating the Talanta Hela app.

“Seeing the management of sports at the moment is painful. As late as yesterday, I looked for the Talanta Hela app, (but) it doesn’t exist. They told us it was launched,” said Shollei who is also the National Assembly Deputy Speaker.

Talanta Hela Programme, which was supposed to be launched in the 47 counties, is aimed at promoting sports talent among the youth.

By the time of going to press, People Daily Digital confirmed the app was not on App Store and Play Store.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei also took to twitter to attack Namwamba for alleged mismanaged of the docket.

He said: “Tonight I echo sentiments of Hon. Ichungwa Majority Leader National assembly that CS Ababu continues to mismanage into oblivion our beloved sports.

How can ministry officials fly first class with their girlfriends to Olympics Budapest, Hungary at the expense of our athletes? Our female athletes are being exploited sexually & economically! Parliament must summon CS sports to avert disastrous mismanagement of our sports!”   BY PEOPLE'S DAILY