Nandi governor Stephen Sang wants elite athletes granted diplomatic passports to avoid unnecessary embarrassment while on their mission of marketing the country across the world.
Sang said athletes were great ambassadors who have helped to brand Kenya and need to be appreciated by providing them with VIP travel documents.
He asked the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to urgently push the agenda in reciprocation for the achievements posted by athletes.
“We have had many cases of Kenyan athletes missing flights to various destinations due to unnecessary delays. This has not been just a problem of their own making but the issues around passports even when they are in transit to represent the country globally,” said Sang.
He cited an incident where many Kenyan athletes led by Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omurwa Omanyala failed to travel on time to compete for the country at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA.
“Look at what happened with Omanyala. He is a great athlete in this country but the stories that surrounded his travel to Oregon were a shame. Our elite athletes have made a huge impact in our country and it's time they were issued diplomatic passports. Not just Omanyala but other athletes. I am even told some did not make it for the Oregon bonanza,” said Sang.
Namwamba promised to ensure elite Kenyan athletes' ordinary passports were replaced with diplomatic ones.
“I would table this request at the next Cabinet meeting and if approved, the immigration department would be asked to act,” said Namwamba.
