Kenya's representatives at the Africa Masters Athletics Championships have protested over their non-payment of their allowances by the government.
The athletes who finished second at the event in Rades, Tunisia, are yet to be paid their allowances which amount to Sh2 million, a month after returning to the country from the continental fiesta.
They said despite asking for their dues, there has been no satisfactory answer from the government and Athletics Kenya Masters (AKM) on why they have not been paid.
The athletes called on the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed to intervene and have them paid. “We thank the government for fully facilitating our trip where we played our part by bringing glory to the country,” they said.
They said despite travelling without being paid, they put the country first and refused to get distracted by that shortcoming to put the country on the continental map.
Team Kenya comprising of 20 athletes under the tutelage of the 1982 World Junior 800m gold medalist Sammy "Skylab" Ruto secured 41 medals which included 31 gold, nine silver and one bronze medal to finish second behind hosts Tunisia.
“Before we left on February 3rd, we were told to be patient that our allowances will be banked into our accounts by February 6. We were surprised upon our return that no deposits had been made,” they complained.
They added: “So far we have been asking but unfortunately we have not been given any satisfactory answer as to why and when we shall be paid.”
