CS Namwamba appointed to United Nations global council

By Peter Ochieng 

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sports, Arts and Youth Affairs Ababu Namwamba has landed a major post.

The youthful CS has been appointed to the United Nations (UN) Global Leadership Council of Generation Unlimited.

The appointment was made by president William Ruto.

Generation Unlimited is a UN platform dedicated to promoting the interests and well-being of the youth across the world.

According to a statement from the ministry, Namwamba is set to embark on his first official duty as a member of the Global Leadership Council during the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, on Thursday.

“We thank the president for this honour and vote of confidence,” the statement reads in part.

“We appreciate this honour and confidence bestowed upon us by President William Ruto. Our BETA Young People’s Agenda is transformative, and includes Youth Digital & Innovation Skilling for Job Creation, Youth for Climate Adaptation, Youth in Peace & Security and #TalantaHela,” the CS added in a separate statement.

Multiple opinion polls have ranked Namwamba among the best performing CSs in President William Ruto’s administration, behind Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Ezekiel Machogu (Education) and Susan Nakhumicha (Health).

On Tuesday, he started what he termed as rolling out revolutionary sports and arts infrastructure masterplan.

“Today, we formally start the exciting journey of rolling out our revolutionary Sports & Arts Infrastructure Masterplan (SAIM). Segment I of SAIM is to give Kenya truly international stadia, with a new Talanta Stadium and significantly remodelled Nyayo, Kasarani and Kipchoge Keino,” said Ababu Namwamba.

Last month, the CS came under heavy criticism from sections of Members of Parliament led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei, over claims of mismanaging the sports docket.

Shollei claimed the CS had failed to discharge his duties, and that he seemed unbothered about the welfare of sportsmen and women of this country, more so athletes.

The CS was offered a hearing by the National Assembly, causing an end to disgruntled voices against his leadership.