MPs have summoned Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (pictured) to explain the management problems Kenyan athletes faced at the Rio Olympics in Brazil. National Assembly Sports Committee chairman David Were yesterday told the House his members resolved to summon Wario following conflicting information the ministry gave them and the media.
“We agreed to summon Wario to appear before us on Tuesday next week to shed more light on the role of the ministry in mismanaging Team Kenya in Rio . The committee will then invite other stakeholders, including the National Olympics Committee of Kenya,” Were said. He told the House his committee has not conducted an indepth inquiry into the fiasco for lack of adequate time.
“The committee is working to come up with a a full report to be tabled in this House for debate,” Were said. He denied claims Parliament was overrepresented during the Olympics. The Matungu MP said he led three committee members – Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), John Kobado (Uriri) and Cornelly Serem (Aldai) – while the Bunge Sports Club led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi had three members and two Parliament staff.
Were told the House after departure to Rio, his committee was not aware of any challenges the athletes were facing, such as ticketing, delayed uniforms from Nike and poor accreditation. Were said the committee was forced to convene meetings with Wario while in Brazil after it became aware of the athletes’ plight.