While noting that he inherited a ministry knee-deep in problems, the CS reiterated his confidence and commitment to transforming the sports sector into one of the most fruitful in the country for all stakeholders involved in it.
“I have not said at all that I am not in control of this ministry. I am fully in charge and in touch with this ministry. But I have made it clear this is a public institution and cannot be run as a one-man show. I share responsibilities with my principal secretaries…and I share responsibilities with my technical officers,” Namwamba said.
The CS further asked legislators of the National Assembly to pay particular attention to the need for reforms within many sports federations in the country, noting their pivotal role in sports development.
“I also know there are other stakeholders. Federations play a critical role in the management of sports. The reason why Kenya was banned by Fifa in 2021 is because the government did something that was interpreted as meddling in the affairs of the federation. If we want to genuinely change sports in this country, please oversight to ensure it is working optimally but don’t close your eyes to the ministry,” he said.
Namwamba appeared before legislators on Thursday afternoon pertaining to critical issues emerging in his ministry, including the debacle surrounding Team Kenya’s trip to the Special Olympics in Berlin, use of substandard and counterfeit kits by national teams on international assignments as well as the crippling quarrels in Kenyan swimming, among others.
The CS was hard pressed to clarify allegations that the Kenyan team to the Berlin Games — held on June 17-25 — were not seen off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by any ministry official or given a heroic reception on their return.
“This particular trip did not find me in town because I was performing other duties elsewhere. I can confirm to this House that indeed I was not at the airport…but the team was fully facilitated. Officers of the Ministry accompanied this team to ensure that all the preparations required were done and that full funding as required was done,” he explained.
The CS added: “We remained in touch with this team throughout their participation. Upon their return from this trip, we had a reception at the airport, complete with dancers. We had officers of the Ministry, we even had gallants of flowers to celebrate them and I have images and videos of the ceremony.”
He revealed that the team was rewarded Ksh 18.5 million in cash awards for their feat in the German capital.
Another burning issue Namwamba had to extinguish were claims that the Kenyan team to the African Beach Games in Tunisia, the Special Olympics and the ongoing World Championships in Budapest were donning fake Adidas kits.
“The team that went to Budapest, I have the photos because I had the privilege of flagging them off myself. There are images of the team fully kitted in Nike so let me humbly submit that the team in Budapest has been properly kitted by the official partner,” the CS said.
The ghosts of last year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon almost came back to haunt the CS as several legislators sought an explanation over claim that some officials had brought along their girlfriends as part of the Team Kenya contingent at the ongoing edition in Budapest, Hungary.
“I am not aware of any joyriders being part of any official delegation accompanying any Kenyan team to any event. But if the Honourable Members are aware of any joyriders being part of any team, then I am happy to receive such information and act on it,” Namwamba explained.
Regarding the incessant wrangles in Kenyan swimming – which have threatened a ban on the country by World Aquatics – the CS revealed a breakthrough in the negotiations between the government and the world governing body.
“We had a meeting this morning with World Aquatics and I am happy to report a breakthrough. We have agreed to form a joint committee with representatives of the ministry in it to find a way through the stalemate. We have also agreed on an arrangement to allow Kenyan swimmers participate in international competitions, such as the qualifiers for the Paris Olympics,” the CS explained.
He added: “The issue of Kenyan swimming is a microcosm of the challenges I have alluded to regarding our federations…the challenge where federations are not ready to respect the laws of this country. We enacted the Sports Act in 2013 and we have had challenges in the intervening period with implementing this statute.”
His revelation came days after World Aquatics wrote to the chair of the stabilization committee, Jace Naidoo, expressing serious concerns over the slow pace of progress towards elections.
Talanta Hewa?
The CS’s brainchild, the Talanta Hela initiative, also came in for bashing by a section of the MPs who questioned whether the programme was a ghost project that was yet to kick off.
In particular, Namwamba was quizzed on whether the Talanta Hela app is non-existent.
“As I speak right now, we have had a successful Talanta Hela National Talent Camp…the InterCounty Football Tournament is ongoing countrywide. That app is not actually an app but a digital system that would allow scouting of talent from all over the country. It is actually a fantastic system such that a child in Turkana can be able to send their skills to a team of scouts,” he said.
Namwamba continued: “What was ignited by the President on June 9 at State House was the system and it is ready. There was a challenge that caused a delay in the completion of the screening room because it is a whole ecosystem from the time you upload a clip to the time it is relayed to the screening centre.”
With the 2023/2024 FKF Premier League set to kick off this season, the CS further announced a mega-sponsorship package that will see the top-tier football league get a sponsor and an official broadcaster, with clubs also receiving revenue on a regular basis.
“As one of the monetization agenda of Talanta Hela programme, we have taken cognisance of the fact all corporate sponsorship took flight from Kenyan sports. I am glad to report that a package has been put in place. There are a number of partners involved and KBC (national broadcaster) will be a part of this package,” the CS explained.
He also spoke of the government’s plan to renovate the country’s major stadia to international standards in readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations – should Kenya’s bid with Uganda and Tanzania be successful.
“Part of the Talanta Hela programme is a masterplan to improve the country’s major sports infrastructure. It includes revamping our international stadia so Caf and Fifa can be comfortable with them. We have put in a bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and we have put out a tender for the revamp of our stadia,” Namwamba explained.
Although he admitted financial shortfalls in the ministry, the CS appealed to the legislators to help ringfence the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund as an exclusive kitty for the sports and creatives industry.
More storms ahead?
Even as the CS was put in the hot seat in Parliament, it seems as if he may be facing more queries, going by a tweet by Nandi senator Samson Cherargei.
