Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has maintained his stand that his ministry will ensure only those participating athletes and key support personnel get on the plane to Paris, with government officials and politicians who desire to cheer the team told to foot their own bills.
Ababu seemed sure while giving his report three days ago determined to weed out joy riders from the trip.
“In the sprit of austerity measures, there is no space or room for joyriders in Paris. There is only space for team Kenya to fly the Kenyan flag,” Namwamba said, when the team was officially flagged off by President William Ruto on Friday.
A section of Netizens are however not convinced by Ababu thus demanding that the CS should make the list public. Others failing to understand why the list isn’t public yet .
The only names provided are of athletes, coaches and sport coordinators provided on their website as follows; Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and former world record holder Brigid Kosgei will form the marathon team to the Games.
Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri are also part of the star-studded team .
The women’s team Is also comprised of Ruth Chepngetich, Rosemary Wanjiru and Sharon Lokedi. While the men’s counterpart will include Vincent Kipkemboi Ngetich, Timothy Kiplagat, Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso.
The team has since been handed over to the National Olympics Committee of Kenya and will be coached by Coaches Amos Korir, Nicholas Koech and Patrick Sang with former marathoner Mary Keitany as the team coordinator.
In the past years the ministry of sports has had a fair share of scandals by spending money to fund individuals to the Olympics .
Below are some of the comments from Kenyans on X;
Shanki Austine:Ababu Namwamba anadhani tuna request for hio list. Hajui tuna demand. Hii sio pesa ya mama yake. Hii ni pesa yetu na lazima tujue vile inafanya kazi