Nandi Senator accuses Sports Ministry of lavish Budapest trip with girlfriends

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ATHLETICS Nandi Senator accuses Sports Ministry of lavish Budapest trip with girlfriends

Festus Chuma 06:00 - 21.08.2023

The Nandi Senator alleges that the Ministry of Sports officials flew to Hungary on first-class flights with girlfriends.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has leveled serious accusations against officials from the Sports Ministry claiming that some individuals were flown to the World Championships in Budapest with their girlfriends all at the expense of the athletes.

This explosive revelation comes on the heels of a series of reported controversies surrounding the Ministry of Sports, prompting calls for accountability and immediate action.

Cherargei however failed to prove evidence to support his claims.

Last week, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah had already called for Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to appear before the Parliament's Committee on Sports and Culture to provide explanations for the alleged mismanagement and lack of support for the athletes.

Webuye West MP Daniel Wanyama who also chairs the Sports and Culture committee, echoed these sentiments, demanding not only Namwamba's presence at the committee session but also a detailed report clarifying the ministry's absence and failure to welcome returning athletes from the Special Olympics World Games.

Senator Cherargei's claims add another layer of concern to an already turbulent situation as he alleged in a tweet.

"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!" he tweeted.

Disturbingly, recent reports from local television station NTV have shed light on a darker side of the industry.

An exposé aired revealed cases of sexual and physical abuse endured by female athletes at the hands of coaches and their partners.

The report featured accounts from four athletes who had fallen victim to the abhorrent behavior of sexual predators, highlighting a shocking disregard for the athletes' dignity and well-being.

Adding to the nation's sporting woes, the country has been grappling with widespread doping scandals that have cast a shadow over its athletics for years.

This is not the first time that the Sports Ministry has been riddled with scandals as in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Kenyan government under the previous regime launched a probe into a range of allegations, including the reported theft of sports uniforms intended for the athletes. 

Additionally, concerns were raised over the presence of officials in the Kenyan delegation who had no discernible role related to the Games.