Ababu to face MPs over 'mismanagement' in Sports ministry

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Ababu Namwamba has a date with Members of Parliament (MPs) today.

The CS will face legislatures in the afternoon, over claims of mismanagement in his ministry.

He is expected to shed light on a ray of issues, including the role of his ministry in facilitating Kenya's team to the Special Olympics in Berlin, Germany in June, and the management of aquatic sports.

He is also expected to respond to questions on claims of 'joyriders' flying business class to the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest Hungary, with athletes flying economy class.

Similarly, the CS is set to explain to the nation why the Talanta Hela APP is not yet operational, close to three months after being launched by President William Ruto.

National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah set the ball rolling last week, when he questioned Namwamba’s performance.

"You were made a minister to serve the people and if you are made the Minister of Sports you must serve sportsmen and women of our country. And its indeed extremely sad that such good ambassadors can leave our country without due recognition by the ministry in charge of that responsibility," the Kikuyu MP said.

"To make the matters worse our athletes represent the country, they win, come back and not a single officer in the ministry nor the minister himself has the decency to receive them at the airport. Every minister must be accountable and serve people. You are not made a minister in this country to fly flags in the streets and bulldoze your way through traffic with Subaru escorts. We must make him accountable for his time in office," he added.

Legislatures from Rift Valley, overwhelmingly backed the majority leader's bid to have the eloquent CS appear before MPs.

"I'm happy that this was raised. Coming from Uasin Gishu where most athletes come from it's very painful, I listen to them. Every time they have landed they have come to my home here in Kitusuru," said Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Boss Shollei during a TV interview this week.

"I've hosted them for breakfast, lunch and talked about their challenges and they tell me their horror stories. They fly economy, the ministry officials are flying business class and first class," she added.

But Kileleshwa Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai claims the whole plan is to remove Namwamba from office, and replace him with a former athlete.

Alai however insists the CS lacks a track record at the sports ministry.

"Mission is remove Ababu and replace him with one of the former athletes," he alleged.

"They ask, 'how can they who don’t produce any sportsmen lead this docket.' Otek (Its hard) But Ababu Namwamba has been so useless in the ministry. I agree with them. Remove him!"