Ababu to MPs: No reason for me to resign

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba has vowed to remain put, despite pressure to resign over 'mismanagement' in his ministry.

Appearing before Members of Parliament (MPs) in a highly publicised session on Wednesday afternoon, the eloquent CS said he is 'on top of things' in the ministry, pouring cold water on calls for his resignation.

"There is no sufficient ground that would cause my resignation. I’m performing exemplarily well as CS," the former Budalang'i MP told legislatures.

Concerning the non existence of the Talanta Hela App launched by president William Ruto in June, the CS said the Head of State inaugurated an incomplete system.

The matter was raised by Uasin Gishu county Women Representative Gladys Boss Shollei, who doubles up as National Assembly Deputy Speaker.

Shollei remarked that it seems the Head of State launched a Talanta Hewa application.

Similarly, Namwamba denied claims of a dozen joyriders accompanying Kenyan teams to various competitions around the globe.

"I am not aware of any joyriders accompanying our team of sportsmen and women to any event," he said, adding that he was among the least travelled CSs since being appointed by president Ruto a year ago.

"I’m the least traveled Cabinet Secretary, because of austerity measures, I have not had the privilege to accompany our teams traveling out of the country. We choose instead to send technical officers."

He admitted to challenges facing various sports federations in the country, inviting MPs to help him clean the mess.

"We have a serious governance challenge with a lot of our federations. I invite this house to support the ministry fully in cleaning up the mess in federations and ensuring they are run accountably," Namwamba pleaded.

The CS was cornered by the law makers and forced to apologise, over a letter he wrote to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Jeffa Kingi.

In the letter, Namwamba requested for a session with MPs to clear what he termed as 'purport and hearsay,' allegations of mismanagement in the ministry.

In writing the letter seeking to be heard, the MPs led by majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah and his minority counterpart James Opiyo Wandayi said the CS was directing the House on what to do.

"Mr Speaker with a lot of respect let me withdraw that correspondence and unreservedly tender an apology to the house," the CS said.