- Kenya got 10 medals in the Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan. It was ranked 19th in the World and first in Africa.
- In 2016, Kenya scooped 14 medals — six gold, six silver and two bronze — in the games.
Image: Twitter/OLYMPICS
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed and the management of Athletics Kenya and the National Olympics Committee (NOC) are set to appear before the Senate over alleged poor display by Team Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Senate Labour and Social Welfare has secured the Speaker’s nod to summon the officers after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei filed a petition alleging many athletes and other team members were mistreated, thus the dismal performance.
Cherargei wants the CS, Athletics Kenya and NOC to state reasons that led the country to lose grip on key races and events it had previously dominated.
“They should explain the preparation and the selection process of athletes and sports and government officials who went to the Tokyo Olympics 2020,” he said.
Kenya got 10 medals at the Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan and was ranked 19th in the world and first in Africa.
However, the performance was considered underwhelming compared to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where the country scooped 14 medals — six gold, six silver and two bronze.
For instance, Team Kenya, for the first time in history, lost the 3,000m steeplechase title.
Mismanagement of the team, including lack of motivation where some team members missed kits, was largely blamed for the dismal performance.
In the statement, Cherargei, whose county has produced some of country’s finest athletes — including world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge — also raised concerns about the reception of the team when they returned from Tokyo.
He wants the Ministry to expound on whether there were prior arrangements for the athletes' return.
In the petition, the lawmaker also wants the CS to make public any engagements between the public and private media and the Ministry of Sports.
“Explain the terms of engagement between the public and private media and the Ministry of Sports involved in the Tokyo Olympics 2020,” he said.
The Senator also the Ministry of Sports to disclose the full details of contracts signed between the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya and American sports apparel maker, NIKE.
Further, he wants the contract between Athletics Kenya and the Olympic Committee of Kenya be made public.
“They should expound on the training kits and grants donated by various international partners to Athletics Kenya and how it was distributed to various training levels in Kenya,” he sought in the statement.
Cherargei also wants the Ministry of Sports to state any reforms that were implemented after the Rio Olympics that landed former Sports CS Hassan Wario in trouble.
The ex-CS was found guilty of abuse of office in the Sh42 million scandal of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. He, however, escaped jail after paying a Sh3.6 million fine.
His co-accused Stephen Soi, who was the Head of Mission to the Rio Olympics Games was fined Sh114 million or serve 15 years in jail.
“They took advantage of their offices to include strange people in the Kenyan delegation to Brazil and paid them allowances which caused the loss of taxpayers’ money. I find them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly,” Anti-Corruption chief magistrate Elizabeth Juma ruled.