Concerned citizens have echoed former Kenya Rugby veteran and Olympian, Dennis Ombachi, in directing the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, to release the list of individuals travelling to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
Charleen Njuguna, Jolly Lanji, and Bevalyne Kwamboka, who have actively engaged in civic matters, are raising concerns about the true costs associated with Kenya’s delegation to the upcoming Paris Olympics.
“Our clients are active citizens who, from the Rio experience, are concerned about the true cost of Kenya’s delegation to the Paris Olympics,” the letter read.
Kenya has a history of embezzlement and overspending when it comes to diplomatic missions. Top officials of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) were previously accused of mismanaging funds designated for the Rio 2016 Olympics, with the government investing around Ksh 584 million in the games.
Drawing from their experiences with the Rio Olympics, they aim to scrutinize the expenditures of the non-competitive participants in the delegation.
The concerned citizens formally invoked their rights under Article 35(2)(b) of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Access to Information Act, of 2016. They are seeking detailed information on several key aspects with a response deadline set within seven days from the letter dated July 8.
Ombachi, popularly known as The Roaming Chef, is a fervent supporter of athletes’ welfare in Kenya and recently engaged Namwamba and stated his intention to personally hold government departments involved in sports accountable.
“Moving forward, we can all exercise our civic duty in keeping GOK departments accountable, especially those you are knowledgeable in. I personally will be following everything under @AbabuNamwamba’s ministry as I am passionate about sports and athletes’ welfare. Hakuna kupumzika tunaanza Upyaaaa…” Ombachi posted on X.
Ombachi, who openly voiced his opposition to the controversial Finance Bill that witnessed mass protests turn deadly, has since then been on a personal mission to ensure the welfare of athletes is prioritised.
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In response to Ombachi, Ababu Namwamba replied in the same thread, expressing agreement and requesting Ombachi to specify the preferred venue and whether the meeting would be virtual or physical at the ministry.
“I would be glad to host you, and many others, on a day of your choice, for a public forum where we would, foremost, listen to you all, before we share the work of the ministry since I took over and the vision that I have for the Ministry. It would be great having you, and many others, as accountability partners in this journey. Waiting to hear on when and where. X or the Ministry?” The Sports CS replied.
However, the rugby veteran persisted in his demand for the Ministry of Sports to demonstrate accountability and goodwill by first making public the names of all those travelling to the Paris games, scheduled to begin on Friday, July 26.
“Before setting the meeting date, time, and location, the public and accountability partners would like the list of those travelling with the team to Paris to be made public. This should be made as soon as possible and working on timelines will be the way forward. This is our ‘Ground Zero.’” Ombachi, also known as the roaming chef, said.
“As the ministry publishes the list of those travelling to the Olympic games, I will be presenting to you other concerns regarding the games that would be open to public discussion and participation,” he added.
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