National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei has lent her voice to castigating Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba over what she termed as ‘mismanagement’ over the Ministry’s decision to procure counterfeit apparel and shoes for Kenyan athletes instead of going for authentic kit from reputable brands.
Sholei further noted that athletes representing Kenya in various global competitions, including the beach games in Tunisia and the Trinidad and Tobago event, were outfitted with knockoff uniforms sourced from Riveroad, a well-known market for inexpensive imitations.
The deputy speaker further spotlighted the Ministry’s shortcomings by exposing the glaring absence of the much-touted Talanta Hela app. She noted that this application, intended to foster youth creativity and talents, has seemingly faded into oblivion and further questioned its existence.
Shollei expressed her dismay at the current state of sports management, stating, “Seeing the management of sports at the moment is painful. As late as yesterday, I looked for the Talanta Hela app [and] it doesn’t exist, yet they told us it had been launched.”
CS Sport Ababu Namwamba: under fire.
Shollei’s heartfelt statements underlined the deteriorating state of affairs within Namwamba’s Ministry, particularly regarding athletes’ treatment. She recounted instances where she extended hospitality to champions from the Boston and London marathons, as the Ministry failed to extend them a proper welcome upon their return.
“I am happy that this was raised. Coming from Uasin Gishu, where most athletes come from, it’s very painful. I listen to them. Every time they landed, they came to my home here in Kitusuru because the CS is not bothered,” she stated.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah last week demanded that Namwamba be summoned for an accountability inquiry for neglecting Kenyan athletes and sportspersons.
Ichung’wah, equally incensed by the revelations, criticized Namwamba’s leadership and expressed disappointment in his failure to serve Kenya’s athletes adequately. “The best representation we should see are those stadia, our ministers, not carrying joyriders on trips abroad to accompany them and doing nothing,” Ichung’wah asserted.
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