Prepare for shocking tales, warns Tuwei as AK reports nears release
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei gestures during a press conference at Riadha House on December 15, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei told a press conference that professionals will be brought in to help his committee investigate and authenticate some of the grim revelations made by athletes during the forums that took one month.
Sensitive information on forced and intimate relationships between female athletes and their handlers could manifest in the Athletes Consultative Forum report that will be released in two months' time.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei told a press conference that professionals will be brought in to help his committee investigate and authenticate some of the grim revelations made by athletes during the forums that took one month.
Tuwei disclosed that the report, which is set to be presented to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed, will have far-reaching implications that will change how athletes are handled.
Tuwei said that they have started implementing some of the issues athletes raised during the Athletes Consultative Forums that needed immediate action.
AK and the government came up with Athletes Consultative Forum following the murder of distance runner Agnes Tirop at her home in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, on October 13, 2021. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, is the main suspect in the murder.
Tuwei disclosed that the forums that were held in four clusters starting in Ngong on November 8 before ending in Kapsabet on December 2 drew 2,921 participants that included 1,916 male and 736 female athletes.
The forums, attended by 269 coaches and other stakeholders, saw 2,254 questionnaires being filled with 332 suggestion forms also completed.
“The report will take some time before we can release it since we want experts to help us come out with something that won’t accuse people falsely,” Tuwei said.
“Considering the rich information harvested across 15 regions, it seems a masterstroke and an eye-opener.”
Tuwei said that the information gathered from the forums isn’t a matter of AK alone but touches on people in the society.
“It touches on athletes, coaches, managers, families and many other sectors. We shall segregate different objectives and recommendations before presenting it to the right authorities for action,” said Tuwei.
Tuwei was accompanied by Senior Deputy President, Paul Mutwii, Chief Administrative Officer, Susan Kamau, Deputy Treasurer Dimi Kisalu and executive committee member, Barnaba Korir.
Tuwei noted that some of the matters arising are administrative in nature hence the federation is in the process of addressing them.
“For instance, athletes complained about the challenges in accessing release letters from AK whenever they are heading abroad for competitions,” noted Tuwei, adding that they are streamlining the same to ensure all athletes have fair and timely access to these letters.
Korir noted that some of the information they received is quite shocking especially regarding relationships between young athletes and their coaches or managers.
“It’s widespread and sensitive. Some require investigations to verify,” said Korir.
