- Some Sh11 million was used for accommodation expenses, Sh466, 000 as homecoming expenses and Sh21.6 million on cash rewards.
- The CS was responding to a question from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on the floor of the House.
Image: FILE
The government spent a total of Sh147 million to facilitate team Kenya’s participation in the world athletics championship in Budapest, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has said.
This according to Ababu is not inclusive of the sports kits contrary to allegations made as Kenyan athletes are kitted by NIKE.
A section of lawmakers led by National Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei had earlier claimed the athletes were photographed wearing fake Adidas which she said were bought at River Road.
A breakdown of how the money was spent shows that Sh36 million was spent on allowances while Sh76 million on return air tickets to and from Budapest.
Some Sh11 million was used for accommodation expenses, Sh466,000 as homecoming expenses and Sh21.6 million as cash rewards.
Responding to a question from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on the floor of the House, Ababu further stated that his Ministry has already paid allowances and cash rewards to all the athletes who participated in the championship where Kenya emerged 1st in Africa and 5th in the world.
He further said upon assuming office, his Ministry revised the rewards scheme for the entire sports ecosystem by raising rates for both allowances and cash rewards.
“Honorable Speaker, it is important for the Senate to note that we have introduced a new cash award of Sh5 million for breaking a world record. We have also significantly raised rewards for medal winners to Sh3 million, Sh2 million and Sh1 million for gold, silver and bronze respectively,” the CS said.
Hongera Awards is a scheme aimed at rewarding Kenya’s sporting and creative legends.
Through the kitty, he said, some Sh25 million in cash rewards arrears going back 11 years and reward legends going back to the 1960s have been released.
The Budapest athletics was held between August 19-27.
Speaking during the opening of the commissioning of Talanta Plaza in Nairobi, Ababu highlighted his achievements noting that when he came into office he “inherited a sporting and creative scene which was in absolute chaos”.
Contrary to the reports that sports personalities are not treated well, Ababu said it is within the short period he has been in office that he has restored order in the ministry.
The event was presided over by President William Ruto.
“I can report to you your Excellency without a shadow of a doubt, with no ambiguity and with no circumlocution that this team that you have given the responsibility is delivering exactly in the manner you have instructed,” he said.
He said sports personalities are now receiving the deserving honor unlike in the past.
The CS pointed out that until last month there were athletes who had represented the country and won medals but yet to be rewarded.
“We move with haste and revised the cash rewards and now we have a new scheme and we have also cleared all outstanding dues,” he stated.